Friday 5 February 2010

Girl with a Red Balloon

Late served food
for a single
girl about town
welcomes you
with open arms
Bursts on your tongue
in an explosion
of red chilli love
and wasabi charms;

Tempura thrills,
and the space
opposite
finds itself easily
and metaphorically
filled.

I wrote this at the Dojo noodle bar in town. Sometimes a girl needs to eat alone, and know the smiling face in the front glass window is her own. I am always passing by the weavings of others' lives, but from time to time I slide myself in to the picture, and taste the tastes through the looking glass. Back in hospital after the weekend for part two of the monoclonals, and I know I will be thinking of that sweet chilli dip and hot horseradish that are exploding on someone else's tongue.

Image: Stencil graffiti by Banksy

18 comments:

RNSANE said...

I totally love this because I so enjoy Japanese food and, of course, I could easily relate to every delicious bite.

I hope your hospital stay was not too bad, dear one...a big hug from San Francisco!

mermaid gallery said...

Your poem nourished me....I appreciate the moments. Hope you feel better soon!

ceecee said...

Noodles and poetry - both are comforting. I hope your stay in the hospital will be a brief one, Shaista, and that you will be sitting at the Noodle House again soon writing your beautiful thoughts. I think of you every time I cook lamb - remembering you telling me how you wished you could have just one little bite. Thanks for admiring my strudel. It was the very first one I baked. So delicious. I wish I could share it with you.

All the best,
Catherine

Lisa said...

Dear Shaista, your poem paints a picture of your mind and at the same time reminds me to pause, taste and feel.

I hope your treatment goes well and recovery is fast.

Ruth said...

You manage to feel the essence. I know it will come back to you when you need it next week.

Hugs.

Mariana Soffer said...

Beautifull poem:
it reminded me about a movie I used to love as a kid which was about a boy that had a red ballon, and everything except it was black and white in the photography.
You areright at the end it becomes hole

S said...

Hi Shaista! Beautiful poem - I love your image of "an explosion of red chilli love and wasabi charms". I hope you enjoyed the Japanese food :)

Tom Bailey said...

This reminded me of the last time I ate horseraddish. I ate a few big bites and then regreted it. I had never tried the chilie coated type and it was REALLY hot.

Thanks for sharing.

Tom Bailey

Kate said...

I love this.

Kate x
http://search-for-the-perfect10.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Beautiful poem! Japanese food is one of my favourites. Have a comfortable stay and be back soon!!All the best!

karen said...

Hope you'll be on the mend soon. Loved your girl with a red balloon.
Hugs,
karen

Sarah Laurence said...

Mouthwatering poem! I wish we had a noodle bar in our town. It’s good that you can get a taste of freedom to savor during your hospital stints. Best of luck with it.

The Blog of Bee said...

Love the poem and yes, sometimes a girl does need to eat on her own.

hope you are back at home and that the hospital stay wasn't too gruelling.

Mariana Soffer said...

Beautifull poem, I am happpy to be able to catch up with your writtings at last. By reading this I could almost taste the salmon and wasabi mix in my mouth.
Thank for that

Eila said...

I love this poem. I put a link to it from my blog so other people might read it. Thank You for sharing it:)

Sara said...

I love Banksy :)

Yin said...

Mm I love solitary meals every now and then! And noodles are the best thing. Linguine carbonara - want the recipe? ;)

Kristin said...

Bonjour Shaista, wonderful "Girl with a Red Balloon". In so few lines you've wet our appetite for a solo meal and some of that red chili love.

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