A Bowl of Rice
The ricecooker rumbles like a tireless engine
A sharp click signals,
“Dinner’s ready!”
The metal lid is lifted off the cooker,
unveiling the core in outpour of vanishing steam.
What can I do with a bowl of rice?
Without an entree, all it is
is a bowl of rice,
bland, unsatisfying, and impotent
But what would I do without a bowl of rice?
None other than the staple of the East
without a foundation, a meal crumbles.
At the bottom, but never the least
Pristine white like a bed of pearls,
a background to the
spectrum of burning red peppers,
deep brown beef,
shiny jade scallions.
The satisfying texture
of fluffy, hot rice
off my tongue, into my stomach
An unassuming utility,
never standing out.
After all, what would the savory dishes be
without the reliable partner they need?
A perfect complement to the overwhelming
bold flavors like Sichuan spiciness,
Yes, bland, unsatisfying, impotent;
But without, how can I stomach a serving of “Water-Cooked Beef”
without choking on the fire in my mouth?
Alone it is nothing; but in a unit,
it serves a vital purpose.
What would I do without a bowl of rice?
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the sensory details you used to make the details pop.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line was "spectrum of burning red peppers," because I thought it was a great metaphor that described the peppers really well.
I really liked how your poem incorporated almost every poetic device that we went over. My favorite line was "spectrum of burning red peppers" it really stuck out to me when I was reading the poem.
ReplyDeleteYou used a lot of sensory detail, which gave the poem almost a humous tone. My favorite line was "of fluffy, hot rice." Also, the topic is really interesting
ReplyDeleteI like how you describe rice with sensory detail, and just the topic in general is great. My favorite line is "Pristine white like a bed of pearls," just because it's true, rice is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI really like your use of repetition throughout the poem with the lines that include "bowl of rice". I liked the line, "But without, how can I stomach a serving of “Water-Cooked Beef”
ReplyDeletewithout choking on the fire in my mouth?"
Um yes, this is so chillatable, especially to Asians. This poem speaks out how rice is life, yenno?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite aspects of your poem is how.. it's about my favorite food.. and your sensory detail of course, makes me hungry. It gives rice a godly like symbolism.
My favorite line was this whole thing!!
"None other than the staple of the East
without a foundation, a meal crumbles.
At the bottom, but never the least
Pristine white like a bed of pearls,
a background to the
spectrum of burning red peppers,
deep brown beef,
shiny jade scallions."