This heart-felt culinary love prose is a response to the dVerse Poets Pub prompt today from Lisa, to write prose of exactly 144 words using a line from Alice Walker:
“Make of it a parka
For your soul.”
The words must be used in order, but punctuation may be changed. I didn’t know what to say at first, but then I decided to go simple and authentic.
Food is Love, I Know Food, and I Know You
I can make you happy because food is love, I know food, and I know you.
You have a big exam tomorrow, so you need my Glover Gardens Comfort Cookies. My colleagues need them, too, because, well, corporate life.
You’re a close friend with a milestone birthday, and I can be your caterer for the party. I don’t need fanfare, I just need to bring the food.
You have an early departure for a day on the ski slopes, and you need breakfast sandwiches. I’ve got you.
You’ve got a taste memory you want to recreate for a special occasion? I’m there.
When I see an opportunity to show my love with food, I know what to make of it. A parka for your soul, shall we say, or a gumbo for your heart?
Food is love, I know food, and I know you.
I loved writing to this prompt, and making my “food is love” confession.
I encourage anyone who’s interested in poetry to read the other submissions to the prompt. As usual, they’re stellar, diverse, and thought-provoking.
Cover photo: Zippy Coffee Rub Steak Bites, already a family fave in the Food is Love archives.
Food is my love language… what’s yours?
© 2025, Glover Gardens
Nice one.
Much♡love
I love food too, but have never made it my business… love this take.
Thank you! It’s not my business, either, in the career sense, but it’s definitely my heart business. ❤️
Kim, first, I love your presentation here with the delicious and happy photos of you and your creations. I can feel your dedication to letting the people in your sphere know they matter to you by paying attention to the food they like. My mom also showed her love through her cooking. We just took it for granted at the time but in retrospect it is clear. So happy you decided to make your confession <3
Thank you so much! It makes me feel great that my post brought back memories of your Mom. What did she make that you remember the most? What did she make especially for you?
You’re welcome, Kim. I remember Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and the fixings. I loved her stuffing and gravy. She used to make the cranberry orange relish thing for me. She also made delicious pumpkin pie and potato salad. Yum, getting hungry right now.
So yummy! The cooking gene ran past my front door, and never stopped to say hi.
LOL, can’t be great at everything! That poem you shared from the “parka for your soul” prompt was AMAZING. And, people who don’t cook give people who do someone to feed!
Thank you so much, Kim, and you can feed me anytime!
That was very clever! I enjoyed it, with all the trimmings as well…I admire people who really understand food and the senses
Thank you so much. i love to play with food, and love that even more if it’s for someone special.
my tummy is growling! and if that photo of you is recent, you are so lucky to have sun and what appears to be warm weather!!!
Ahhh, no, the pic was from last August. We have had some warm weather in sunny Houston, TX over the past few weeks and I even have some flowers blooming – really! – but storms are a-coming and we expect it to be in the 20s for the next couple of nights. Right now, I’m in Denver at the airport where it’s 15!
‘Food is love, I know food, and I know you.’ ~ love this line!
Thank you, Carol, it is definitely heartfelt. ❤️
You had me captured with line one! Delightful prosery, and now I must go grab something to eat. I must make it myself however … you are not here.
Thank you so much, Helen! What did you make, and what would be your request if I could cook for you? I LOVE requests.
Well for dinner that evening I made my son’s favorite: pasta with clam sauce. Sourdough and a salad on the side. That gumbo of yours looks pretty tasty!!!
I loved this Kim -I have had my own restaurant briefly and though it came to a sticky end, it has not changed my attitude to food and cooking which is pretty much as you set it out here…
I like what you did there with “sticky end”. So nice to find a kindred spirit regarding the meaning of cooking for others. I did some Google research and found a lovely post you made that shared your sentiments, and share it here because it adds a “whole ‘nuther” level to my short and simple thoughts. https://how-would-you-know.com/2024/10/signature-dishes-a-lyric-essay.html
Thank you so much Kim – I should really put a food tab at the top of my page as there are quite a few posts to list…
Yes, you should! If you do, please feel free to come back here and post a link to it. I’d like to peruse it, and I’m sure there are others who visit here that would love to, as well.
🫱
Such a creative response Kim, glorious. (also – To be multifaceted makes us diamonds, yay)
Diamonds, indeed – Love that!
❤️
https://reggyonyango.wordpress.com/2025/03/26/did-you-know/
Check this out
Cool story!