Napo 2

Today's prompt was to write a recipe poem. Since I'm thinking a lot about Helen lately, I decided to write a bit about her and her recipe for omelets.

Helen of Troy’s Recipe for Omelets

First you gather everything you need:

A swan’s egg, perfect, round, and cold

To the touch. Olive oil, slick like skin.

A whisk. A sizzling pan. Some salt and pepper.

The perfect thing about omelets 

is that everyone has their own desires 

to be fulfilled. You can please them all

With just this simple egg.

Denver. Southwestern. Greek.

All men share a hunger

With subtle differences

You can learn to please.

Tell him you created this

Just for him and wink

As you crack the egg

With your hand.

Let the white wash your palms,

Let the yolk burst into a sunrise

Of gold. Use only the freshest herbs

That always taste of spring.

Whisk until it starts to foam.

Use a low heat. Listen for the kiss

Of oil on egg. Don’t fuss too much

Or it won’t look effortless.

It must be effortless,

This creation of perfection.

Sprinkle what whets the appetite inside

Then flip it with a single twist

Of the wrist. Give it one more minute

To set. Then slide it on a plate,

You garnish lavishly with love.

Know he was made to devour.

Understand his hunger.

Use it to survive.