SLOW COOKING

SLOW COOKING   He was with himself in life's kitchen     at the flame of cooking           as I was looking             and learning.   He sliced and diced tiny bits and pieces     of past love with a heart restraint     so faint with trust             to love again.   His eyes spoke of hope as he deftly tossed the melange     of his life in a pan     over a fire so low         it was slow to ignite a faith         that he'd relate              to a woman                 that way                     ever                         ever again.