While staying in the Marianne Moore suite last year, writer-in-residence Elizabeth G. Howard wrote this beautiful poem—an ode to Jana’s kitchen where weeknight meals are prepared for the residents of the Writers’ Colony. We hope it brings back warm memories or provides further incentive to gift yourself some writing time and space with us this year!
Jana’s Kitchen
This is Jana’s kitchen --
Stardust flour adorns
Every stainless surface
Working magic with the
Honeybears and hyacinths --
Sweet Dreams waits for the
Wishworn kettle to heat.
Pinned notes hold up
These walls, postcards to
Rewarmed gratitude in
Two-dimensions, a
Sample from our
Reams of dreams.
This is Jana’s kitchen --
Softened books leaning into
Each other, whispering
How to reduce life to
Its kernel. Here
She lays it all out plainly
Before us, simmered &
Stirred with lazy Susan spices--
Butter softening
Coffee darkening
Dishes languishing
The cook is humming
A song of home.