Didactic: Lessons from the Ordinary

Preparing a late meal,
I open the fridge,
Removing a large package of extra old cheddar cheese,
A loaf of bread, a tomato and red pepper;

Two slices of bread go onto the plate
And three strokes of the knife
Creates three slabs of cheese,
Which I break in half and lay onto the bread,

Then inserting the bread and cheese
Into the toaster oven, I put it on
And slice up tomatoes and peppers
To add later;

I watch the cheese melt,
Listening to mechanical parts heating
And cheese sizzling
Before the bell goes announcing it’s done,

Not unlike the bell
At the end of meditation
Signaling the sitting practice
Has finished,

And when the oven bell rings
I open the door
To remove the toasted bread and cheese
And put it back on the plate,

Adding slices of tomato and red pepper,
Curry, onion, garlic powder and black pepper,
Producing a delicious mix
In which I delight,

It’s so amazing
How easy it is to be pleased
With this simple activity
And the basic necessity of eating.