Sensory Key/Time-Jump Alchemy
For Sensational II Challenge
My thoughts, they always wander to you, to—the memory of your love—how it felt, unconditional-non-judgemental. The warmth of your embrace, left cheek, right cheek kiss and a strong sense of belonging to something beyond my own mortal shell.
Your smile was always a welcome interruption to life's formalities, and being in your presence—simplified everything.
The sound of your home, if your broken English , laughter and mild grievances "Meaniacs", "Shitebook" and threats of smashing phones are as vivid as the sound of chaotic chatter, banter—love in action.
Home cook extraordinaire—so it is but fitting the smells are one of the strongest and most evocative memories. Even still when making my own pastina that pales in comparison to your yours, do I use that sensory key to unlock a lifetime of memories—time-jump alchemy that sends me back to moments when you were still here.
Taste always follows fast. We lead with our eyes and climax with our mouths. The flavours of tomato, garlic, onion, chicken, salad greens, potatoes, pasty and crusty bread will always transport me. Though this alchemy is far from fool proof, I am left not quite here or there—straddling the past and present with the taste of grief and loss on my tongue tainting everything I eat that reminds of me of you. Oh to stay in one part of the steam of time and taste the joy without the misery but the umami of the past is far too strong, pervasive and important to let go.
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Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: Not sure this needs much explanation.
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Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
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Comments (10)
delicious memory that also transported me through time...wish I could have know the wonderful woman!
Lovely piece in memory of your Nonna… she looks & sounds like a sweetie 💖.
This was a beautiful tribute, I could really feel the love through out the whole piece!! So beautifully done Paul!!
Such a rich sensory tribute! So beautifully done!
Awww, this was so sweet and touching. Such a wonderful tribute to your Nonna 🥰🥰🥰
This was such a lovely and creative response to the prompt.
I feel the same way with my mom's cooking and everything else. One day I will see her again.
What a beautiful tribute to your nonna. "so it is but fitting the smells are one of the strongest and most evocative memories." That is so true. I swear I can still smell my nan's kitchen when I think about her. She died in 2000.
A beautiful tribute, my liege!
Loved this one.