...On Poetry and Fiction – Just “One Word” Away (Ambrosia)

http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/      

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                

        One word becomes one idea, becomes one sentence, becomes one poem, becomes one story. It must start from just “one word”. Today my one word is “Ambrosia”.

                 
                                                                        AMBROSIA

  Never did I think “Ambrosia” would become my friend and savior today. I’ve always heard how special it was. Ambrosia was considered the food of the Greek gods. It represented longevity and/or immortality for anyone who consumed it. Today, I made it for the first time and I brought it over to my neighbor’s home. The irony here is that this food of longevity and/or immortality was my spur-of-the-moment choice to prepare and take over to a friend’s house during his time of loss and mourning. “Ambrosia” looked so beautiful today, like a princess waiting for her prince. “Ambrosia” suddenly took on a delightful feminine persona, which captured my heart. She was as stunning as she was delectable - and I created her. She smelled like mandarin oranges and pineapple, with a hint of coconut. I bathed her in whipped topping and magically spun her around, then garnished her with maraschino cherries. She looked up at me from the fancy flowered ceramic bowl that was her home, and simply smiled through the waves of whipped topping and marshmallow bits that majestically surrounded her. I smiled back proudly, lifted her gently, then carried her over to my grieving friend and neighbor.

 AMBROSIA

A guest unknown to me

       greeted me at the door and welcomed me in

I saw my dear friend,

       sitting in a corner with his two children 

He grieved for the loss of a young wife

“They” grieved for the loss of a wonderful Mom

I grieved for the loss of a special friend

I walked past them and nodded quietly

He acknowledged me with a sullen smile

His children remained silent in his lap

I headed toward the kitchen

       and placed “Ambrosia” in an empty spot,

             high upon the top shelf of his refrigerator

I felt like a stranger in his home – in her home

…Walking in “their” kitchen

…Opening “their” refrigerator door

…Just like his deceased wife, and my best friend, would do

This was still her home

She was still his wife and his children’s Mom

She was still my good friend and neighbor

She was gone, but her spirit lived here…

He soon joined me in the kitchen,

       but did not utter one word

Our eyes met and I felt his pain

Our eyes met and he felt my friendship

He placed his hand upon my shoulder

       while the tears rolled down his cheeks

I removed the silk handkerchief from his chest pocket

       and placed it in his hand, as he dried his eyes

The dining room was bustling 

       with loud conversation and faint laughter

It was time for “Ambrosia” to make her appearance

I removed her from the refrigerator

       and placed her on the table in front of him

He grabbed a spoon

       and gently lifted the essence of Ambrosia

        to his quivering lips

He smiled and winked at me through his tears

       as I kissed his cheek 

I carried “Ambrosia” to the dining room

       and set her down on the long mahogany table

              for all the family and guests to see

There she sat for all to admire, enjoy and consume

Today “Ambrosia” became a friend

Today “Ambrosia” became a Savior

- - For me, for them, and for my grieving neighbor

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

"Ambrosia", which was considered the food of the Greek gods, represented longevity and/or immortality; Yet, ironically, it brought comfort to those in mourning.

...So, in life, the simple gestures may become the greatest gifts.