Intention

my mind wandered
as the knife sliced 
clean
thorough
efficient
through the pungent onions
the stubborn carrots
the sound of the blade
brought satisfaction
crisp
against the celery

i readied the stove
flames medium
the aroma
of care
permeating my home

the once solid bacon drippings
melted
in the cast iron pot
small bits missed
from sieving
sizzled
crackled

my heart sang 
the song 
of the women
before me
all the heartaches
the miseries
the mistreatments
dissolved
like
animal fat 
over heat

the ballad of my
forebearers
fell on
me

and i felt it
as i had
before

this was love

a calming daytime
lullaby
a melody only
heard 
in my kitchen

and

i thought of you
in the peacefulness
of that moment
what we had spoken of
laughed about
agreed upon

intention

every dash of salt
shake of spice
slow stir of whatever
was bubbling
simmering
coalescing

a rhythm 
notes being played
subconsciously
and
through intuition

i could dance
all night
to the music
i cooked

and

for the quickest
blink of a
millisecond

i missed you