The taste of
grilled white corn on the cob lulls me back to childhood summers where Dad soaked them several hours, husk and all, in a barrel of water, grilled them over charcoals 15-20 minutes, turning them to char the crips husks all around. When they came off the grill, he wrapped them in newspapers, slid them into a tall paper grocery bag until everything else was ready to eat. We’d peel off the husks, slick off the silk with a paper towel, roll the cob lengthwise on a stick of butter before salting. Mom always peppered as well. I only peppered.
So tender and sweet
those smaller white corn kernels
one cob never enough.
19 thoughts on "The taste of"
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What I love about this is the wonderful description of ritual, and how family members added their own touches through the pepper. The haiku is perfect.
Thank you, Bill.
Yea! I second Bill’s observation.
The way you
“We’d peel off the husks, slick off the silk with a paper towel,”
do this…oh so succinct.
Love this poem.
P s. The way your thresholding of the title solved a dilemma for me.
Thank you for that too.
And again for sharing your gift.
Thank you, Coleman.
My mouth is watering, Karen. Since I’d only heard this poem, I had no idea it would work so well as a haibun – but it does!
Thank you, Nancy!
Lord yes, Karen! I’m going to use this haibun as a recipe. Yum!
Thanks, Kevin.
This poem is delicious! This haibun is perfect. I especially love this:
” Mom always peppered as well. I only peppered.”
Wonderful!
Thank you, H.A.
Yes, the corn addiction – we are heading right into the season, and I love this preview of what lusciousness is to come! Yum!
Thank you, Sylvia.
mouth-watering to read
Thank you, Gaby,
The husks! A delightful poem.
Thank you so much, Linda.
Precise description of a family ritual, complete with the delicacy of prepping, grilling and eating corn on the cob.
I love the clear and vivid longform portion and then elevated by the haiku. Lovely and sensory combination.
Thank you, Shaun.