Stir it Up

THE READING AFTER EATING OATMEAL WITH KAREN

            "Be worthy of your food." Thich Nhat Hanh

Cutting a banana into Quaker Oats

as it boils, I place

a handful of frozen blueberries

into each of the empty bowls

and ask Karen if she'll stir

while I excuse myself, saying,

"That's my bowl on the left,

it has a few more berries."

When I return, Karen

has added some raisons,

"Is that OK? she asks,

adding, "We're out of brown sugar."

"We'll have enriched oatmeal,"

I say, reaching in the cupboard

for maple syrup. How could I

ever be worthy of Karen?

Remembering the oats and berries,

made half-dizzy by one spoonful

of this world's sweetness.

Jim Bodeen

26 April 2017