in memory's kitchen

what they ate in the camp

was potato peels and scraps

hand-me-downs of hunger

salvaged from the daily trash

bits of cabbage and carrots

not good enough for stew

in old Czechoslovakia

in 1942

but in memory's kitchen

everyone was fed

chocolate tortes and strudel

Bavarian bread

recipes remembered

by those who survived

in memory's kitchen

everyone was satisfied

the women of Terezin

during the Third Reich

wrote family recipes

in the still morning light

recalling ingredients

in their finest hand

for their children's children

when peace would visit again

fresh cream and sweet butter

eggs, meat and fish

history in each bite

love on each dish

blessings and places

set at the table

in memory's kitchen

every belly was full

in memory's kitchen

everyone ate so fine

roast goose and potatoes

and the good kosher wine

for an unseen people

far from the war

in memory's kitchen

no one went hungry

anymore

That's one of the songs, man. "In Memory's Kitchen." Inspired by an article in Bon Appetit* at my stepmother's house. That's all there was to read! (laughs) The book it's about is also called "In Memory's Kitchen." I don't remember who wrote the book, but it's in the article.

I like it. What do you think, farmboy?

I think it has potential. I'm hoping it's not too preachy or obvious, but I'll work on it till it's not. I don't know about the lines with "history" or "love." It's that fuckin' "show, don't tell" writing stuff, you know.

What did you study in college, farmboy?

Journalism and English comp.

It shows.

It better.

* "Save Your Recipes Before It's Too Late" by Monica Bhide (Bon Appetit March 2011)