Have You Tried Making Soup?

Get as many veggies as you can

Whatever’s at the store, or in

The fridge. Tonight, I had onions,

Carrots and celery, zucchini,

Potatoes, tomatoes, and beans.

(I know those aren’t all vegetables,

Of course, but my soul doesn’t)

Sharpen your favorite knife and play

Something soft, something that knows

What it is. Have a glass of wine,

Or tea, if you have it. Water,

Is of course just as good.

Chop everything up and watch as

The colors blend together

Like mingling flags—green

And white and red and orange—

Toss them in with the glistening oil.

Do you follow a recipe? Or do you

Follow your heart? Either is fine;

Just remember that garlic,

Paprika, and success, are always

Measured by the heart, by the weight

Of the salt in your palm.

When experiencing great doubt,

Begin with heaped teaspoons.

While it simmers, do you read

A book of poems? Do you dance

Or watch the passing cars?

You may do all of this, of course,

Or if need be, you may also do

What must be done—fold the sheets

In the dryer, or make that phone call—

Remember to stir.

Then, when you finally sit,

As you smell the steam that rises

To pinch your cheeks and tell you

How much you’ve grown, remember

That this is very old medicine,

And while it may not cure whatever

It is that ails you, it can’t hurt to try.