back to the old pot and steam
back to the savor in the air
when Dr. Tom was alive 
I was the cook, he the dishwasher

now i close all the doors to the kitchen
Penelope’s mom is neutral to me
but likes the way I feed her hunger
I barely try to keep to her good side

the precious butter, the blue throb
of shrimp, the sauce balsamic
a dish from my navy days,
it was how I won Dr. Tom’s heart

when Penelope’s mom tracked me down
(unbeknownst to me I was her grandfather) 
she was a little off-put I was living
with a man. she recovered
at the offer of baby-sitting services

just before dark the doorbell 
and wild barking are simultaneous:
two artist friends, their dog & gummies,
lo and behold the repast passes