Midday

Midday sun made every thing broil without pity under his realm.
While the lunch hour traffic inched towards destinations with anticipation.
Kids from schools with their heavy backpacks, headed for their apartments
for the noon meals.
Their tired hungry faces stared at the elevator doors as if willing them to open,
The social and service-elevator were both, at every run packed full.
In the lobby small talk flowed among neighbors with restless definitions,
While the girls spent time checking themselves in the mirrored wall.

As the elevator stopped at the landings like a welcoming committee
greeted the aromas of hot meals!
On the first floor "Moqueeca-de-peixe" wafted in, I could almost discern,
the ingredients; sweetpeppers, tomatoes, and fillet of fish simmering
in coconut milk!
The smell of fried potatoes, welcomed the little girl
who stepped out of the elevator holding the nanny's hand, grinning!
From the fifth floor the "Baiam-de-dois" tailed,
all the way to my destination, "frango assado" and "Fajoavada" fallowed
with concern...
As I unlocked the door and stepped inside, soon
I had an incredible urge to have coffee and Icecream!

Author's Note

Moquecas-de-paixe is a dish made with fish fillets and layers of onions, sweet peppers simmered in coconut milk. Served with plain rice.
Biaiam-de- dois is mixture of dry beans and rice (northeast of Brasil is famous for the dish)
Frango asado is roasted chicken.
Fajoavada is mixture of assorted meat cuts and beans cooked with tomato paste and spices. And served with plain rice and farofa.
All the above dishes are always accompanied by "farofa"; dried ground caçava root, looks a lot like cream of wheat.

Reviews

[Neville]

Where has this been hiding since February 25th... and what a little masterpiece you served up way back then... this is a great series of social observations, this is a sensory delight, this is more than a story and more than a poem... you just made this old guy hungry and its still steaming hot...top notch M.... N

[Mrudula Rani]

Thank you my dear friend. It is always gives me great pleasure when you review my writing, your wonderful words are such a boost of morale. Always appreciate you, N.

[Neville]

and I thoroughly enjoy reading ya, I do N :)

[Crowley]

You definitely made me hungry!!! What a great peek into social situations so familiar to all, but differing in cultural ways. Some things never change like the mirrored walls of the elevator, loved that line. But other things just manifest differently but are immediately recognizable. Thanks for this trip, it was awesome.

[Mrudula Rani]

Brasilian dishes are a wonderful mixture of African and Portuguese cuisines. Thank you for your lovely comments.

[Sami Khalil]

Man! You are making us hungry for the feast. We are also feasting on your words. I like how you are sharing cultural moments with your readers. Very educational. It will help the tourists better when they travel to your destination. All thanks...
Are you sure you are not a travel agent...lol
Just kidding.

[Mrudula Rani]

No iam not a travel agent my friend, thanks for the compliment. I wanted you experience my world a little. And I know your wonderful mind will enjoy the sample. Thank you my dear, sweet friend for the affectionate review.

[Sami Khalil]

You are very welcome...