Sensuous

 

(image by Loie Hallowell)

Sensuous

cod .............salted, 

dried and packed in

wooded treasure boxes with 

sliding wood lids

I kept things in there once. 

Things like a pair of red dice,

my lucky rabbits foot ... the real one;

A couple baseball cards ... rubber bands, tacks

And     .......................             dreams of women.

Purring warm with the

fluidity of solids ..........with glow

conscious and alive in my hands 

hands cupped and spooning

a table for two

sun baked linen 

shaken to clothe flat quiet table

curves of warm cherry wood legs crevassed behind blue eyes

 minds ....and .... hands 

                                      exploring

so many forks for one meal

(I don't know what they're all for)

red cream 

smooth flow 

radiates radish sauces

star veins pink when opened

over smooth and rippling dimples

fitted as one

a table for two .........................sensuous.

09/2020

E.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Temperance]

I went searching to find more of your great poetry to read and absorb. I think of it as a courtesy to one I respect so.. I stumbled on this one and, I am so glad I did! I love the sax! I am a fan of smooth jazz myself and this is an excellent selection for your poem. It has quite the sensual mood to it. I think every kid has some kind of box they kept their treasures in. Mine was a cigar box. Don't know where it came from. You have done a wonderful job in taking this through different moments in your thoughts and dreams. Moving from childhood to adulthood while doing it. Hands cupped and spooning a table for two..... I like that line. Minds and hands exploring....so many forks for one meal.... It's as if you fade in and out of being with a woman privately in an intimate setting and then dining in a nice restaurant with linen tablecloths and finery. I have enjoyed this read as I read it multiple times. Great work, Mr. E. Temp

[Einstein Noodle]

what a treat to read this review, Temp! i am thoroughly gratified and humbled at the same time ... it is extra special you took time to look, choose and read ... more than once .. thank you so much for your courtesy .. it is a blessing and kindness many share .. right here at the Cafe' :)
E.

[Temperance]

You are quite welcome. I hope you will do the same in return. T.

[Chris Shaw]

You start with an ordinary box where you stored your little treasures to transporting us to a romatic and sensual scene where two have only eyes and hands for each other while dining out.

A feast of sensual phrases here which provide plenty of heat for the reader.

hands cupped and spooning

All those forks. One is more than enough and fingers are fine to feed tid bits :) You know I had my legs entwined with his underneath that table with its perfect linen.

Like a cat whose had the cream after reading you. Purring with content :))
Lovely work Mr E.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

awwwwwwwww dear Christine .. your comment gave me chills ... really did .. so happy you read this and left your thoughts .. thank you ever so much ... legs entwined under the table eh!? you little minx you ;)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) love this review my friend!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome. Have a lovely day Mr E. All good wishes from across the pond :)

[Einstein Noodle]

same to you Chris!

[Fran Marie]

nothing as romantic
as a table for two
(actually wrote a short
haiku with that title once)

a menu of scrumptious
yum yum ideas blending
into a sensuous delight
with undertones that stoke
the imagination .and stir
the senses. o h did I
say I like this poem

y e a ..I do .lol

..nice write Mr.E

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Ms Fran! so glad you enjoyed the scene ..love and peace forever eh!? :)))))))))))))))))))
read morethanks Ms Fran! so glad you enjoyed the scene ..love and peace forever eh!? :)))))))))))))))))))
E.

[Fran Marie]

you re so
vey welcome
dear friend;

[h d e rushin]

when I want to be inspired....i find a poem like this one. But what is inspiration if you cant select the familiar parts , the strips of red cloth, the fish; the bright mashed rabbits feet saved for human unsophisticated luck? I remember those sensuous jazz nights.....

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha and so do i H D E! so do i ... what a treat when you visit .. hi regard for you ya know .. plus you remind me its been a bit since i stopped by your place .. easy fix eh!? love and joy always!
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

Fanning myself here. Sensuous and then some. A wonderful meal meant for only two. Who cares which forks you use? Just get your fill! There is a wonderful reflective nature to this one, E....and I, too, remember those salted cod boxes and the cigar boxes. What treasures we kept in them....and what dreams are still under the lids. I so enjoyed reading this. Our memories never stray from those precious places. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

what a beautiful and gracious review Lydia .. i couldn't feel more humbled and pleased at the same time ... you took the whole trip and then some ... luv and peace dahlink! thanks so much for reading and commenting .. means a lot
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

to elaborate on the photo... seems to be a Chorus line at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.. pausing for a breath... 🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩...

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Pat .. all kinds of things to see in it isn't there!? i may change it ... hadn't really seen cleavage .. but its there isn't it? ;)

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest E.... "Spooning" is definitely romantic
when there is enough candlelight for two.
I am much too young at heart to know about
"forking". The photo is disturbing... so much
cleavage and so little time. It is amazing when
flowers bloom at the dinner Table. tenderly, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

well ... as i read .. a good and proper setting has 4 forks .. three to the left and one up top of the plate ... no ententre meant ... can you elaborate on the disturbing aspects of that "cleavage" .. i found the pic after the poem ....it is also titled "Sensuous" ... i liked it because like my poem ... its not graphic ... but suggestive perhaps for those with a mind for it .. did you listen to the jazz? ;) thanks Pat .. always for reading my stuff and reviewing ... what would we be without it? ;)
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear E... “another silky moment outside the French Club”.... slow and easy... I feel 🦩the Jazz... Pat... we would be like a 🧁cupcake with no 🍒 Cherry... 🎷

[Patricia Wedel]

P.s. the Oyster fork is placed to the right of the setting... I read it in the Cards... Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

well ...let me add that to me octopus :)))))))))))))))isn't that a great sax? and ..no cherry???? c'mon ... that's the piece de resistance

[Patricia Wedel]

My granddaughter’s nickname is Jazz, and her younger sister is Kazz...

[Patricia Wedel]

dear E... I studied "piece de resistance" ... fascinating... a gift ....

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ...........................

[Paul Bell]

Something in a box, a stray thought, and then time is in the moment.
Sensuous always means closeness, a person that meant something and hopefully still does.
Even setting the room out, a table a bottle of wine, the ambience and what follows later on in the evening, it all leads to something tangible, and that's why it stays with us tucked away in the happy box.

[Einstein Noodle]

i believe you are right .. those moments held are precious and happy .. its not always about the sex .. nor does it need to be eh!? its like you say .. about closeness .. a deep need in most of us .. love your comments .. thanks always for taking time on me pages sir! :) E.

[Paul Bell]

Pleasure, cool poem for a Sunday just as I'm off for a run.

[Einstein Noodle]

have a good'n :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The Hallowell picture threw me as it seemed somewhat stark and rigid and most unsensual. The poem starts of with very vivid descriptions of that box in which you store memories as well as trinkets. Then it spills out of the wooden crate into a descriptive account of an intimate 'candlelit' dinner shared by lovers. A very entertaining freeverse big 'E'

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks John .. glad you enjoyed .. yes! "..spills out.." I like how you put that. ;) your a great friend sir...right here at the Cafe' ..peace and health on ya!
E.

[Neville]

Oh' Man ... note the capital Gene .. this is something else entirely ... You got me droolin this side of that puddle that darn well keeps us apart .. well for the time being anyway ...

Head n shoulders my friend up there with the greats and I sure aint talkin shampoo ... Sensuous has got the bloomin lot .. and I can't think of a better place to keep some of them dreams neither .... Am not around much for a while my friend but shall raise my glass to ya this very eve ... Down ya neck sir :))))

[Einstein Noodle]

Good morning brother! thank you so much ... i wasn't sure about the Cod ;) ... seems the contrast has worked .. thanks so much always for you support and friendship .. its about 5:30 AM here ..almost time for breakfast .. I'll walk good old Beauregard down the lanes and join you in toasting around 9-10 ... some may think that a bit early .. but hey .. most days i have already been up for 8 hrs by then ;) luv ya brother .. so glad you enjoyed this one :)
E.

[Einstein Noodle]

ps. shall we raise mugs to the ladies?! ;)))))))))))))))))))))

[Neville]

... and why not, providing they are all appropriately numbered :)

[Einstein Noodle]

:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) you make me larf sir!

[Neville]

I very near made my self larf just then .. so I did sir :)))))

[barleygirl]

That you ever think to combine all these ideas & make it into a cohesive flow is your main magic. That you go from cod box to memories to sumptuous dinner . . . it's a zig-zag only a zany mind might make! I love the part when your poem goes from the routine particulars of what's in the box to the part where sensuality seeps into your reverie. I love that this poem conveys "sensuous" without making it about the physicality of the human form. Most people are turned on by such subtle extravagances (love the parenthetical fork comment) in memories! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Einstein Noodle]

i am so tickled by your response Margie! i was a bit uncertain if what you felt as you read would convey ... i'm so happy it did and that you enjoyed .. love ya girl .. you and your fellow Californians are much in my prayers .. tho fires are not unusual for you guys .. they always frighten me on your behalf .. thanks for reading and reviewing dear friend.

[barleygirl]

My nearby fire is calm now, so I'm in a good space. But the rest of the west coast is unbelievable! And I hear there are 5 named storms heading for your side of the country? Sheesh!

[Einstein Noodle]

we had a wee bit of rain yesterday and last night .. i think further East has some warnings out .. storms to give us pause, reflect and be strong ;)