Issue 1.4 - Margaret Walker

Passed On
​

In the American South a death in the family means food begins to arrive almost immediately in an unending outpouring of support.  Soon there is no more room in the kitchen.  The refrigerator and freezer are full; and friends stay from early morning until after dinner for days to answer the phone, greet visitors at the door, list who brought which dish, and make sure the crowds of mourners are fed.
 
“funeral food”
favorites bury
the dining room table
 
The pound cakes, pecan pies, peach cobblers, pimento cheese, sweet potato casseroles, and tomato pies accompany platters of deviled eggs, country ham biscuits, brownies, and fried chicken.  All are cherished, not only for the kindness, but because they are home-made from recipes handed down through generations; and though the rare “new dish” is introduced we all have our favorites.  
 
yellowed papers
a celebration
of former lives
   
Each giver of lovingly-made food must receive a hand-written “thank you” note extolling the virtues of their special dish.
 
extra credit . . .
naming the original
recipe writer
 
The note-writing can take weeks to accomplish, but in the task of thanking others there is solace—thus the food feeds both body and soul.
 
old spirits rise
to console
the living

​*****