without cups
or spoons
with heart, hands
and eyes
a luscious gospel

rice and peas
filled with coconut
oils and African 

spirits
born of diasporic
roots

flat wraps, layers
plump round seafood, 
meat or potato beside
sweet yams or greens
fingers only 

applied

simmering sweet
orchard plums and pears
apple born pectin
fixes winter
treats

limes for marinade
fresh with peppers
and thyme,
seasoning
savoury truths

now they write
their own