#54 Kitchen Commons

Where is the peeler?
Not where I always put it
Nor in the second or third most likely spot.
I understand why people
don’t want strangers
messing in the kitchen.

Yet I feel a great freedom
in sharing this room
that I designed
when we stripped it
down to the brick
and built it back up again
when all of us were young.

It is capacious
hospitable
well worn,
Has housed people from all over,
Filled up with flavors and conversations
I could never create,
Been midwife
to friendships I treasure.

Those who live, visit and cook with us
are generous in return,
Clean at time with gusto
Put vegetable peelers
who knows where--

A price
I am willing to pay.