Life’s too small without freshly cut coriander
Generously sprinkled on kadhai chicken.
Mint leaves blitzing their way with tomatoes
Ripe from the vine to the fingers dripping chutney –
Fragrances of earth between all this concrete.

Maybe one day I’ll be able to handle ginger’s zest,
Coconut’s ambition, potato’s melancholy,
And turmeric’s desire to cure everyone.
I will prepare the meat myself. I need you,
I promise, to enhance the flavour a bit.
Pluck me when you need some flavour too.

Cover Image: Photo by Lars Blankers on Unsplash