warsan shire: introduction.

"the kitchen" 

by warsan shire


half a papaya and a palmful of sesame oil;
lately, your husband’s mind has been elsewhere.

honeyed dates, goat’s milk;
you want to quiet the bloating of salt.

coconut and ghee butter;
he kisses the back of your neck at the stove.

cayenne and roasted pine nuts;
you offer him the hollow of your throat.

saffron and rosemary;
you don’t ask him her name.

vine leaves and olives;
you let him lift you by the waist.

cinnamon and tamarind;
lay you down on the kitchen counter.

almonds soaked in rose water;
your husband is hungry.

sweet mangoes and sugared lemon;
he had forgotten the way you taste.

sour dough and cumin;
but she cannot make him eat, like you.