Tables

This week in the east
has been full of tables.

Table-filled
Table full
With chairs drawn up
and bodies planted -
Soil rich and ready for growth

We’re here for the night

We eat colour

And colour and colour

Fresh coriander green cosies up to orange sweet potato
punctuated by red chilli
pieces of moon hiding
Together they dance joy on our tongues

Chickpeas giggle at proud peppers
Halloumi squeaks salty delight
and garlic sings in unabashed tones
A choir of cous cous gathers
around the houmous pot

Dive in.

Invited -
we are at ease
Laughter ricochets
Grateful
we are so grateful

Our coats hung
Glasses filled
Stomachs filled
to bursting

Welcomed
Each night a different set of ears and eyes and stories
a different palate on our plates

Red wine flows easy like conversations
which echo, bounce, reflect, surround
question, celebrate, mourn, thank, learn, recount, remember

Good food is the way to my heart you know
But you are already there

All this

Is extra

All this
is blessing

And we are filled
to bursting.