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Summer Kitchen

By Donald HallPosted Wednesday, Aug. 11, 1999, at 3:50 AM ET

In June's high light she stood at the sink
With a glass of wine
And listened for the bobolink
And crushed garlic in late sunshine.

I watched her cooking, from my chair.
She pressed her lips
Together, reached for kitchenware,
And tasted sauce from fingertips.

"It's ready now. Come on," she said.
"You light the candle."
We ate, and talked, and went to bed,
And slept. It was a miracle.

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Last year Donald Hall published his 13th book of poems, Without, about the illness and death of his wife Jane Kenyon.
Click here to visit Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky's Favorite Poem Project site.
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