A toast to the NHS

I have fallen in love with my kitchen, I know now what it’s for,
Before this virus, not a crumb was allowed on the floor
Now I chop stir and whisk
what joy is this
not efficient or brisk
but loving and what’s more
Over cook books, I now linger and pore

I have fallen in love with my kitchen, my appliances I adore
who knew what a delight could happen in the night
as the yeast, a living thing, make my dough rise and sing
as the bread hook, came out of store
what joy is this
melted butter and bliss
over breakfast I lounge on the floor

I have fallen in love with my kitchen, it smells more homely than before
all the choppers and scales in clean cupboards it seems
are in fact the answer to my dreams
what joy is this
quiches from scratch made from left over scraps
in tins from the on line store,
I now know what ceramic baking beans are for

I have fallen in love with my kitchen, my shopping list tells me it’s so
if the on line delivery is missing this or that
in to my pantry I go
what joy is this
mustard seeds, mixed with honey left in the jar no longer runny
baked on carrots and parsnips, are you licking your lips?
so many things to try and explore

I have fallen in love with my kitchen
each night I look in and it’s left nice and trim
the table is scrubbed, taps polished swept floor
what joy is this
a new menu is writ
for my poor mum who can’t go out any more
friends call and ask, anything needed, yes please, I say,
she fancies Kippers today,

I have fallen in love with my kitchen
posting pictures of my efforts each day
friends comment so kind, we reach out and find something positive to say
what joy is this
and you know my friends, when the lock down ends
it’s to mine you are invited to come
as it will be such fun to share my new found skills with you,
think this is the least I can do

I have fallen in love with my kitchen
when you come I will probably make
something with ginger and lime, these are favourites of mine
what joy is this,
salad grown in a pot, with herbs long forgot, but now growing along with the thyme
I hope it’s not too long, bring your guitar, for a song to our wonderful NHS to whom we will toast
missed friends and say, thank god, we are together today

Refer to: Apr 2020 – Sermons in stones