Mangia

Walking through the doorway

is entering a hug

warm affection greets me right away

 

I sit down at the table

at my accustomed place

all year my senses crave what's on display

 

House-specialty lasagna, oozing cheesily

dances with sauce

made with family pride

 

The next bite, a polpette,

a flattened ball of meat

that sizzles in the oil as it’s fried

 

When it’s time to have dessert,

oh the joy that’s in the room,

an air of reverence bordering on holy

 

The golden crisp and dusted shells

filled with sweet rich cream

fresh homemade and heavenly cannoli

 

How I wish I could go back there

to share this meal again,

not only in my memories retrieved

 

My favorite place to eat,

and to fill my heart as well ~

Pop and Nonna’s house on Christmas Eve

Author's Note

No seven fishes for us; we preferred Nonna's lasagna. And her cannoli... oh my...

Reviews

[redflutterby]

My highschool sweetheart was Italian...one year I went with him to his Nonna's for Christmas. All those Italians in one house and this Scotch Irish redhead. His great grandma gave me the evil eye...lol!! Anyway lots of wine and everyone proclaiming mangia every five minutes. Yummmyyyyy food...I'll never forget it. ;-)

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Yes, it is quite an experience for an "outsider"! Grandma's "malocchio" - oh, boy! Glad this led to a good memory, Red!

[redflutterby]

Lol....he was the favorite so I was heading into dangerous waters. The funny part was when his Nonna outright asked if we were sleeping in the same room. Omg...I thought I'd die. I was 18 and just out of highschool....of course no innocent. But I wanted to crawl under the rug from embarrassment. She rolled her eyes to heaven and exclaimed something in Italian. After she went back to the kitchen I told my boyfriend there's no way in hell we are sleeping in the sane bed. He slept on the floor and I kept one eye open all night. Haha... ;-)

[Sami Khalil]

Now we know where you hang out and where we can find you....lol just kidding
A delicious piece of writing and place. I love the mom and pop restaurants with their family recipes more than national chains...Good bread , good God , good meat ...Let's eat...:)

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, I do too - and I am especially lucky, because this was my grandparent's house (Nonna - Italian for "grandmother") Thank you so much, Sami!

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)

[Leonard Birch]

A beautifully written poem. I feel like going to 'Nona's restaurant' tonight and having a meal. Havn't had an Italian meal for some time and I do miss it. Complimenti Rita. A beautiful work indeed. Thank you.
Leo

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Leo! Enjoy that dinner - it's good for the soul! :)

[Leonard Birch]

Cheerd Rita.

[Jack...]

Rita, I am sitting at my desk starving and I find this poem. Now I am really starving. This was great and it brings back memories for me as well, even though I am not Italian. Every Christmas Eve I would be invited to the Gotti's house for dinner and it was always lasagna, that fabulous bread, and cannoli. It was wonderful, just like your poem. Great job my friend. I could never get homesick with your poetry around.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jack - I hope you have eaten by now. Yes, everyone should befriend an Italian family at Christmastime! :)

[Frieda P]

I knew when I saw the title this one was going to wrap around my Italiano senses. Never had grandparents here but do know those huge hug feasts well....

Eccezionale leggere da voi penna Rita!

[Rita L. Sev]

Grazie, Frieda! :)

[Frieda P]

è stato un piacere il mio amica :-)

[SyberRose]

I love lasagna Rita...everyone is writing about food...did i miss a challenge or something??

Mangia means eat i think but i had a chicken dish one time called mangia...a little wine ...garlic bread and a salad...I am starving about now...nicely done Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Rose! This is for a contest about a favorite eatery... but I write about food a lot... yes, mangia means eat! :)

[SyberRose]

Oh a contest ...okay....yes i know you write about food and you do it so well Rita.

[ANTO]

I want to taste cannoli so so bad. I hear about Marie's cannoli all the time on our re-runs of Everybody loves Raymond and now it is in the WC...

Brilliant work Rita
X

[Rita L. Sev]

You have never tasted cannoli? You poor thing! Get yourself to an Italian bakery! It won't be quite the same as homemade, but it's a start... Thank you, Anto!

[Marie]

I wish I could go there with you...

[Rita L. Sev]

Nonna always made plenty - you would be most welcome, Marie!