Written for Poetics Tuesday: Comfort Food,
hosted by our friend, Punam, who asks us
to write a poem focusing on food. This is
my response, dedicated to my mother.

The kitchen filled with Mama’s love and time,
Her apron dusted white with flour and care,
The sauce would simmer slow, the smell sublime,
While Sunday mornings hung sweetly in the air.
With practiced hands she’d knead the golden dough,
Then roll it firm across la chitarra’s strings,
Each stroke a rhythm only she could know,
An old Italian tune that memory still sings.
The strands fell soft like notes from a guitar,
She’d gather them with flour-covered palms,
Secrets carried from her place of birth afar,
Her kitchen filled with old-world grace and calm.
We’d gather round the dinner table, big and small,
No restaurant ever matched what she could make,
For love was the most important ingredient of all,
Stirred into every bite, for her family to partake.

© Culinary Lore
NAR©2026
This is “Chitarra Romana” by Luciano Pavarotti
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

Such lovely memories, Nancy! Nothing can beat homemade pasta and your description is so apt! Love your delicious reminiscences. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Punam! This was a lovely challenge. I’m so glad you enjoyed my poem and my memories. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome, Nancy. I am delighted you enjoyed the prompt. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum! Fresh pasta is the best, especially with that secret ingredient from Mama!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know it, Liz! Thanks so much ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mouth wateringly delicious, Nancy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, dear Keith! Cheers! 🍷
LikeLiked by 1 person
To watch grandma make something that delicious is wonderfully shared here. Love your musical selection also, Nancy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Lisa. I’m glad you enjoyed my poem and the beautiful music of Pavarotti.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Made my heart happy. 💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t ask for more than that. Thanks very much, Michele. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how these lines capture the muscle memory that cooking a longtime family recipe leverages: “Each stroke a rhythm only she could know,An old Italian tune that memory still sings.”
It’s a wonderful, evocative poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment, Kim. Much appreciated.
LikeLike
A very beautiful poem Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, dear Sadje.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a beautiful poem. I love the imagery of strands falling like soft strings from a guitar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Iris. I’m so glad you like that line; I thought it tied in well with the theme of the “chitarra”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The strands fell soft like notes from a guitar” oh yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew you’d get it, D!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never had homemade pasta, and it sure looks yummy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, you must try it, Jim! There must be an Italian restaurant in your area that offers it. Some Italian bakeries also sell homemade pasta. I hope you can enjoy some soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
i love this picture of family life 😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, Willow. Good memories 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good memories, Nancy. Growing up, we always called it macaroni–never pasta. And we had gravy–never sauce. Same for you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lois! Mom’s homemade was “pasta” but store bought was always macaroni. Yes, we called it gravy …. never sauce. And we had “gravy meat” …. sausage, bracciole, meatballs in the gravy. That’s real Sunday Gravy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bracciole–yes! With the string wrapped around it to hold it together! My mother always lamented that her gravy was never as good at my grandmothers–my dad’s mom–the Italian side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly …. the string! Every cook has some secret attached to their gravy. I have my mother’s recipe box with her original recipes, and, even though I follow it to the letter, my Sunday gravy is not exactly the same as hers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yumalicious work, Nancy. Both structure and content perfect, engaging, and completely satisfying. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It came from the heart. Thanks so much, Ron.
LikeLike
Such a beautiful tribute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Jodi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So lovely Nance I could smell the aromas and taste the love 🩷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Ange. Sunday mornings in mama’s kitchen were magical! ✨
LikeLiked by 1 person
🩷
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is absolutely beautiful, Nancy. I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Clive. I’m delighted to know that. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
A superbly scrumptious poem
Brings back wonderful memories
Of my mum in the old family home …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted to know my poem brought back memories, dear Ivor. 💙🎶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Home was a very happy place full of wonderful memories, Nancy 🏡🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
As it should be, my dear friend. 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person