Cooking when you are anxious

And distracted

Is a recipe for failure

I have proof

Right this minute

Looking at the spreading pool of batter

On the oven floor.

I have made biscotti a million times

Sometimes the almonds weren’t chopped fine enough

Or the logs were misshapen

But those were minor difficulties

Today is different

I was nervy about a big family visit, rehearsing

comments in my head for a meeting tonight

Worrying about a late package, so maybe I

added too much maple syrup and butter

Maybe not enough flour, perhaps I accidentally

invited a malevolent spirit into my kitchen.

Actually I think that’s it.