Well, we have to eat,
even as genocide, rapes,
atomic arsenals, and pious
bigotry persist, destroy, so
I roast beets. With a paring
knife, I peel off dull hides,
reveal purple fiber of the roots.
Purple ink stains my fingers.
Has anyone painted with beet
juice? Chopped into small
pieces, the beets go in a
hot oven. When they're roasted
soft, I take them out, dribble
honey and shake salt on them,
serve with pasta and a simple
marinara sauce & a green salad,
plus a shared slice of a quick
raisin oat-bread I baked. I like
cooking for me and my wife.
It's a good thing, basic,
necessary. And about all
the influence I have
on the world, for as things
stand, I'm no emperor.
hans ostrom 2024
