The sun slants into my window
At that certain angle
Elongating shadows of my kids’ pictures on my desk.
When they reach my keyboard
I know
It’s time to make supper.
The kitchen is easy
Welcoming and warm
Enfolding all the pressures of the day
Erasing them
In the simple act of
Cutting beef tips and
Searing them in oil.
I peel carrots
Their smell bright and clean.
The knife shooshes through them
making orange suns on my cutting board with a thunk.
The meat sizzles and pops
turning brown on all sides as I carefully turn each piece.
Red wine or dark beer to deglaze the pan?
The wine pours deep burgundy.
A ruby river
bubbles and hisses
Alcoholic steam puffs into my face.
Shoosh, thunk
Chunks of potatoes smell like wet warm earth
Join the carrots in the pot.
Bay and garlic
Onion and pepper.
How long ‘til dinner, Mom?
Two hours to simmer
While the yeast rolls rise.