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.