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For Whom the Cookie Tolls
by Genevieve Sturrocktoday we made my famous
chocolate chip cookies
and my baby did
all the measuring
he read the recipe
and gathered the
ingredients
he cracked the eggs
and packed the sugar
he listened carefully
as i explained what
made my cookies
different from
everyone else's
and as our home
filled with that
particular aroma
of butter, chocolate
and caramelized sugar
and his blue eyes
lit up with anticipation
as he licked the last
little fleck of dough
from the beaters
i blinked back
a few tears
because this year
he didn't spill the flour
or mistake a tsp for a tblsp
he got the baking soda
and not the baking powder
he carefully spooned
the dough evenly onto
the baking sheet
and set the timer
without mishap
he cleaned it all up
and only needed
a little help
putting the mixer
back on its shelf
and as he handed me
the first warm cookie
from the oven
his eyes met mine
and i recognized
he's slowly slipping
from my little man
into my young man
and that special secret
that makes my cookies
stand out
has passed on
to the next
generation
it's not just the extra
splash of imported vanilla
or the additional minutes
creaming the butter
it's not the redistribution
of the brown v. white sugars
nor is it the adjustment
of oven temp and baking time
the secret to my cookies
is a family rite of passage
that moment of certainty
when we no longer think
of our own pleasure
but labor to put
a smile on the face
of the ones we love
12/15/2009 Author's Note: yeah, it's cheesy...he's growing up so fast and my 'secret' recipe is no longer my own.
Posted on 12/15/2009
Copyright © 2025 Genevieve Sturrock
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by V. Blake on 12/16/09 at 01:04 AM I really enjoyed this, and the title is wonderfully creative, but I read the whole thing hoping you wouldn't say the ingredient was love. It's obvious, with all the emotion throughout, but I really think you should scrap everything after "of giving it away to the ones closest to me." It says all you need to say, and without any of the cliche. :) |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 12/16/09 at 04:37 PM It may be cheesy, but I can totally relate to this whole process. This is the cookie my family asks for and tries to reproduce for their friends. This is the cookie my guy friend begs for at Christmas and brings me chocolate chips as his offering in the whole symbiotic "deal" between us. I know every ingredient you write here. This poem may be very personal between Mom and son, but food prep and sharing between two people is pure human chemistry. I could go on and on, but this is gouda enough for now. ;) |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 12/16/09 at 08:16 PM I, too, can totally relate. This piece is excellent. It made me smile and remember years ago, when I taught my kids my kids my "secrets". Loving and written straight from the heart. Thanks- a lovely read! |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 12/17/09 at 02:22 AM How did you manage to add delightful, joyous, wistful, intelligent, growth, and sadness into the same mix and have all kinds of tears running down my cheeks? Bless this precious poem! |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 12/19/09 at 07:19 PM Not cheesy at all IMHO. A little TLC goes a long way. Cookies and poem suiperbly crafted. Fond reminder also of my own mother (passed in October to that great kitchen in the sky), who realized the importance of teaching her three children to cook and bake, necessary skills for future independence. Thanks for sharing this Genevieve, and season's best to you and your son. |
| Posted by Christel Crews on 12/20/09 at 03:03 PM what a beautiful moment to share with the world, gen. during this time when people are focusing on their hectic life, i love that you focus on a quiet moment at home with your family. it brings to tears to my eyes! |
| Posted by Michael Smith on 01/17/10 at 02:10 AM What an absolutely beautiful piece of work. It sucked me in and flowed well all the way to the end. A lovely testimony to you and your son. Thank you very much for sharing. |
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