You sit on the shelf until I’m ready
to pour in white or brown sugar,
wheat flour now, trying to be healthier,
eggs, baking soda or powder, depending…
and dark chocolate morsels,
milk chocolate, if I dare,
oatmeal and walnuts or pecans,
or molasses in autumn,
sugar cookies dressed in holiday décor –
my mouth waters.

You’re not the same mixer Mom used
when she created magic
with the same ingredients for our palates,
and yet each time you’re hard at work,
memories flow of Mom and me
in the kitchen with dark wood cabinets,
blending, rolling out, and baking,
moments more meaningful now.

You need to know that her love
shined through recipes in every taste –
savory or sweet, irrelevant,
our own personal chef whose dishes
filled us up to heart’s content.

I know memories flow
for my children of them and me
in our kitchen with mahogany cabinets,
blending, rolling out, and baking,
creating their meaningful moments.

Funny thing is for years
I wanted one of those fancy stand mixers,
but counter space kept me
from the purchase, and you know what?
I don’t need one because I have you!
You have created all the magic I need
in deliciousness and memory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com

Lauren Scott is a recent Pushcart Prize Nominee who enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their daughter and son live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, this family of four remains close. Lauren has published four collections of poetry, a memoir in verse and prose, and her first children’s book. She has been a guest on several podcasts, and her writing is featured at Spillwords Press, Gobblers and Masticadores, and LatinosUsa. At Spillwords Press, she was awarded Publication of the Year (Poetic 2026), Author of the Month (May 2023), and Publication of the Month (June 2025, October 2024). Lauren’s work is included in several anthologies. She is currently working on her second children’s book and another collection of poetry. Her muse discovers inspiration from family, spending time outdoors, and marveling at the mysteries of life.