Henry's Soul Food Cafe

[emel.scott]

(sheep-skinned Arab stood me up,
was this ploy a subterfuge?
Traveled east to sell a lease,
now I'm hungry and confused)

Henry's Soul Food Cafe

Ribs n’ chicken
baptized in smoke
and pigs feet so gnarly
no rabbi could bless ‘em,
but Bernie requests him
the BIG bowl, “knuckles up
n’ hairy enough to weave”.

Pimp rolls in, chrome wheels spinnin'
faster than a hooker's tricks.
Corps of whores can fuck you up
and out outta shanty town.
But cash can't fake and/or replace
the flavors of your childhood.
(It's Henry’s chitterlings, his religion
with Grandma’s loving face.
The thin skinned angels smell like shit
but Holy Ghost, the taste!)

A stack of pulled pork sweet
as a church organ
piled high before me.
“Bless me Lord for I have sinned”
with slaw and sauce as hot as Dwayne
who’s pitchin’ the Devil’s fit.
See, he’s missed his okra fix.
(the handmade sign says)
“get here early
cause this heaven
sells out quick”

Sermon’s over so I’ll
"Hi-yo Silver" from this place.
Coming here was a mistake,
Ali didn’t post.
Seems he’s gone for Ramadan,
whereabouts unknownst.

And I suppose, juxtaposed,
my God is not amused.
Ali’s kneeling, palms to Allah
me...I worship BBQ.

[Sue Littleton]

SOB. We have a similar soul food restaurant in Austin, Texas, and I have been living in a furrin' country for five years and there ain't no barbecue or black-eyed peas or boiled okra to be had and this here poem broke my poor starved heart in about a dozen pieces. Forget that A-rab and go right on worshipping barbequed ribs! Sue L.

[emel.scott]

must be a place down there roastin' whole pigs, if you can root one out I'd buy a ticket. (oy vey, my ancestors just rolled over in their graves)

[Sue Littleton]

Roast suckling pig a la Latino Americano is not soul food, but I will be happy to share one with you if you can get your buns to Bs. As. ♥

[joel]

my homely vegetarian fare doesn't bring forth such vivid images...i enjoy the memories you bring back of time spent with folks over food (even if the food isn't the mainstay of the memory).

[emel.scott]

Joel,

I arrived at S8 a few years back just as you were finishing school and making your farewells here. I must say, I loved your poetry and found it both inspirational and of great help to me when I began writing. I was particularly pleased (upon my return to this forum) last week when I saw your name on the board. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.

Scott

[joel]

Thanks, Scott--

Those are really kind words to read. I'm glad to have come back. Yours was a great read here and I'm looking forward to more. Good stuff comes outta DC.

[mnaz]

as I mentioned at the other place, this one is very imaginative, wry, rhythmic and well, kinda tangy... dig it. I'm hungry.