~
Overburnt caramel on my vanilla cheesecake,
that’s what love tastes like to my palate
and even before I put it to my lips
the aroma of the sauce floats up my nostrils
and I knew my gut couldn’t digest it;
I took a spoon to investigate still
held it up in front of my eyes— scrutinizing
that overburnt caramel– clearly contrasting
the softness of that vanilla cheesecake;
that’s what love often looks like on my plate:
a delusional dessert imperfectly baked.
It is sweet and edible yet, if not mouth-watering
so I don’t waste the portion I got served
for desserts do indulge my craving,
I almost put it to my lips
when I spot your disapproval staring,
I pause to raise my eyebrows, my shoulders shrugging;
your finger indexes me to gather my patience
I put my spoon down, curiosity overtaking,
I sit— wondering of your whereabouts
or why I’d ignored my gut earlier of my warning
and to a complete stranger, here I was, listening.
My head turns left to right, then right to left again
inconspicuously I look in the direction you went,
my feet slowly tapping the floor as I sit cross-legged
a little faster as more time moves ahead
my hands I fold and unfold, while on the table rests
my vanilla cheesecake with singed crusty caramel;
almost cracking my wait when
you walk to my side with a different plate
placing it next to mine with a smile on your face
burrata cheese with ripe berries and a honey blend
each element’s taste you scoop in full richness
your eager eyes brimming with hopefulness.
I wonder if that’s what love tastes like to your palate—
the wildness of berries and gold syrup sublime
in the freshness of burrata cheese intertwined;
excitement in my gut, my tongue tantalized:
is that what love makes you feel like?
I pick the spoon up, savouring the full bite—
glad that your disapproval of my plate caught my eye,
the imperfectly baked delusional dessert now out of my mind—
new possibilities of potential perfection uprise,
my lips wear the last layer of burrata cheese as they smile
with intense flavour I gaze into your eyes,
hoping that you see how captivating your love I find
anything else may neither satiate nor suffice
all my senses at once to such overwhelming heights.
~
Leave a Reply