🕊 🙏🏻🕊️
The table looms before him, stark and uninviting,
a battleground where plates meet judgment.
The critic sits rigid, pen gripped in a hand
ready to slash through reputation, its ink dark and merciless.
In the kitchen, the chef glares through the small window,
a low flame of resentment flickering in his eyes.
Every movement is sharp, precise—a rhythm of defiance.
The dish must speak for itself; his words,
in defence of his art, remain locked in his throat.
Anton waits, his gaze heavy and sharp.
Rumours swirled about the chef’s arrogance,
his reckless experiments, his disdain for simplicity.
As the minutes stretch, Anton’s irritation stirs,
already forming in his mind the lines of dismissal:
mediocrity masquerading as daring.
The plate arrives, sliding across the table—
a quiet challenge, its edges smudged imperfectly.
Anton lifts his fork with deliberate scepticism.
The chef stands in the corner, arms crossed,
the weight of failure already braced against his shoulders.
The fork presses into the layers. The critic pauses.
Steam curls up, carrying notes of familiarity.
Tomato tang pierces the air, mingling with the earthiness of aubergine.
Anton takes a bite, his expression unmoving.
Then—his brow furrows, lips twitching slightly.
Flavours bloom on his tongue, chaotic yet harmonious.
The chef looks away, muttering under his breath.
Anton swallows, and silence fills the room, heavy as the unspoken verdict.
His fork clinks against the plate as he sets it down.
The pen quivers in his hand, prepared for destruction—
yet he writes something unexpected.
“This dish,” he begins, “reminds us that elegance thrives in imperfection.”
The chef freezes, disbelief washing over his face.
Anton stands, his unyielding mask softened by the faintest smile,
and walks to the door, leaving his words to linger.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: April 15th, 2025 01:11
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 17
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments9
You doesn't love a good rustic dish.
That’s the most sumptuous of meals 🥘🙏🏻🕊️
What a great story with a moral. The line is so true (elegance does thrive in imperfection) The use of building tension to increase the power of the statement was very well done. Well imaged and structured it is a lovely poem and story
Thanks Soren that is a very special review🙏🏻🕊️
That reminds me of one of the most brutal forms of journalism, if you can call it that,a food critic, and in he got the result that in his heart he didnt want, it tasted really good, enjoyed the read
Thanks ever so kindly🙏🏻🕊️
You are very welcome
I had flash backs to Master chief' I find it difficult for someone to judge anothers food.Certainly a well written detailled piece.Excellent work
Oh yes, those were the days of reality tv 📺 heyday. Thanks compadre🕊🙏🏻
A film reference no less but for the younger crown and those disposed to animation.
I was drawn in, I could feel the tension in the air. I could smell, the aroma wafting in the air. I long to taste the dish. To recognize the simplicity and beauty, that is often right before us. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you most kindly 🥘🙏🏻🕊️
Chef's kiss! Wonderful narrative poem, one that I could taste, that had a great message! Well done on this! 🌹👏
Thanks man, this really, truly means a lot 🙏🏻🕊️
You are most welcome! 🙏🖤
Excellent write
Thanks Tony 🕊🙏🏻
You're welcome
Food critics can ruin dishes if they are well known but your words were fine arqios.
Andy
So true, thanks Andy🙏🏻🕊️
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