Lost Appetite

Life witout food? Life without you?

Lost Appetite

 

 

Pans sit upon the burner,

awaiting a flame that will never come

Scraps of food linger about the counter

like so many lost moments and tear stained menus

Dishes create a new mountain

in the scarred and scratched stainless steel sink

(Leftovers of a time I wanted to eat)

 

Yellow scrubbers float in stagnate water

Soap scum film rings shimmer in the sunlight

cast through the streaked kitchen window

Cabinet doors rest open

on squeaky hinges no one can hear

(Revealing the emptiness now felt in my heart)

 

In patterns of stale Saltines and moldy breakfast bars

coffee, once hot, now cooled and solid sleeps behind hard water stains

cantaloupe rinds, bell pepper caps, ketchup chips and buttered bread

form a mosaic of a kitchen once alive, now found a relic

of avocado appliances and rusted handles

(Lost in time as are my eyes)

 

Kikkoman and red wine evaporate

The Bakelite General Electric clock on the wall longs for batteries,

double “A” now hiding in the corner

afraid of what the time may reveal,

only wanting it to stop…completely

As I come to the conclusion

I shall never hear from you again

(And I have lost my appetite)

 

For life

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[ANTO]

In the 1950's and 60's a film movement arose in Britain - some of the most powerful and ever-lasting films, art, novels were created as part of the 'kitchen sink drama' movement - for example the movie Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) - one of my favorites. They were real, they were poignant and gritty and unforgettable.
You have written a piece here Jack that would sit proudly in this movement's gems. Tremendous writing my friend.

[Jack...]

Wow, thank you so much my friend. I am honored.

[Pryde Foltz]

It is beyond terrible to grieve the dead, but when the living cut you out... Jack your writing continues to amaze. You are one gifted poet.

[Jack...]

Pryde, your words touch me and make me smile. Thank you so very much for being my friend.

[Pryde Foltz]

Right back at you, Jack. That yellow shirt is very apropos. You are a piece of sunshine.

[Baby Ricochet]

Man that's one f'ed up kitchen. Someone's gotta clean that place

[Jack...]

Well it ain't gonna be me. Thanks my friend.

[Angel]

Oh, wow!
This is very powerful, Jack!
I know this feeling...I know it all too well.
Been there, done that...got stock in the tee shirt factory.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Angel. Can I order one of those t-shirts online? Angel.com?

[Angel]

ROFLOL....I'll work on that!!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. Such a sad and powerful write Jack. Losing love and an appetite are two extremes that are hard to tackle but not impossible. I hope you can see the rainbow after all of this. Good to purge things now , assess matters seriously , plot new strategies of winning ...I hope all will turn out to your satisfaction in the end...A splendid read and write...:)

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Sami. Maybe I can force down a beer or two. :)

[Sami Khalil]

I understand...You are welcome...:)

[SyberRose]

I once lost eight pounds in two days not eating or drinking ...i can relate...a sickly feeling it is...
nicely penned as always Jack...Rose

[Jack...]

Thank so very much Rose. Nothing really matters when in this state of mind.

[Emerald Seas]

Wow, this is such a powerful writing, Jack. I love the creativity in each line. It is rich with the feeling of emptiness and discarded dreams. So well written.

"afraid of what the time may reveal,
only wanting it to stop…completely
As I come to the conclusion
I shall never hear from you again
(And I have lost my appetite)

For life

Yep... Know that feeling, my friend! I know it well :)

[Jack...]

Happy you stopped by my friend. Thank you so much for your kind words. Do you know any good maids?

[Emerald Seas]

French? lol...
I hate to clean! ;-)
Lost love/friendship - losing anyone is a mess - and my kitchen would be clean since I don't eat when I emotionally stressed!
Hmm... so now I know how I lost those 15 pounds - haha...

[Mark]

Lost love is a recipe for losing weight! The unclean kitchen made me queasy; an excellent metaphor. Another well done work.

[Jack...]

Wow, I could write the book..."The Broken Heart Diet" Could be a best seller. Thanks so much Mark.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I have lost my appetite for life...such a sad and stark idea. I can completley relate to this feeling, though, having "lost" a few times in my own life. Your imagery was great, in that it conveyed a personal and tangible aspect to life and the eventual loss that you so aptly described. Your style here is also very nice, as it shows a very personal approach to the piece...there would not have been the same impact if you had chosen to constrain the piece into a particular form (at least in my opinion). Great writing...I've missed reading you in my absence; I have a lot to catch up on!

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Sarah. Nice to see you again and I hope you are feeling better.

[Dhaye]

Hello, Jack. I like this poem which could be read in two ways. I like the voice within (enclosed in parentheses) which could be a nice quatrain.

Well-penned.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Dhaye. I truly do appreciate you stopping by and leaving such kind words. if you get a chance, check out the new collab between Frieda and myself, Autumn's Sweet Reminices~