when my mother told me
just wait
if you are hungry enough
you will eat them
I should have listened
today my stomach craves
forests of broccoli
a garden of cauliflowers
bulbous queens of deep dirt
rutabaga

today I hear my invisible
but still there mother
I told you…
thinking now she did know
how my world would someday
grow big
ready to taste the universe
bite after bite

Now retired after thirty years working as a hospice RN with before and after cook, bus girl, food teacher gigs, Maryann Hurtt finds pleasure making and tasting recipes from family, friends, patients, and travels. She still dreams about the tripe soup and sheep cheese dumplings she ate in Prague-Praha.