Today’s Special Dish
by Nina Lindsay
“I can’t remember when
I’ve read a more delicious group of poems than Nina Lindsay’s Today’s Special Dish. This book is pure, stunning pleasure.
The fragrances and sparks of flavor—endearing scenes and
revelations—surprise with whimsy, turning and twisting
on the tongue in hypnotic ways. I felt my whole palate perk
up, like when you want to call all your friends and tell them
about that fresh mango/sticky rice superlative dessert you just
ate at the new Thai cafe. Meet me there! Read this book!”
—Naomi Shihab Nye, author of You and Yours
Nina Lindsay was born and raised in Oakland, California, and lives and works there today as a librarian at the Children's Room of the Oakland Public Library. She has published poems in many journals, including Shenandoah, Green Mountains Review, Northwest Review, RATTLE, POOL, and Gastronomica. Today’s Special Dish is her first book of poetry.
POEMS FROM Today’s Special Dish
Today’s Special Dish
It was the morning’s sweetness, a cold wind
on warm air and the papery smell
of wisteria, that tempted me to homemade tortellini
for your lunch. Now, broth
simmering, the pasta is dry
and cracking in my fingers. The last time we spoke
was like this,
frazzled, rushed, marked by a kiss for the sake
of notifying you that I still love you.
Now I want to start over.
Plain noodles in butter.
Kissing by the kitchen window.
I love you perfectly when you are gone—please picture
how I intend to treat you. As if just the thought
should make it true: the tortellini
in the pot—broth blossoming—the dumplings suddenly plump, and soft.
Aspiration
I want to be a better person
than other people.
Not need to compare myself all the time to them.
Better to be like the dollar bill so good it purrs into the slot,
like the socks you always pick first from the drawer,
like the duck who waddles down the road, observant, concerned,
but relaxed—bizarre and beautiful. The morning wraps its arms around her
and when it is too much she shrugs it back a step
with a bristle of her wings.
