When The World Was New

On Sundays after church we would take turns cooking.

None of us were gourmets, but we tried.

We would excitedly tell the others about a new spice,

Tarragon, or rosemary, or something else that was only new to us;

Something that real cooks had always known,

But to us, taste was something new.

We would lavishly praise each other “great recipes”.

And the one who did not cook would bring the wine.

Maybe it was all just an excuse for the wine.

On Sundays, after church, we would drink wine.

None of us were wine experts, but we tried.

We would excitedly tell the others about a new wine,

Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, or something that was only new to us;

Something that real wine connoisseurs had always known.

We would talk about the “good wine” to each other

And we would relate the beauty to philosophy.

Maybe it was all just an excuse for the philosophy.

On Sundays, after church, we would discuss philosophy.

None of us were philosophers, but we tried.

We would excitedly tell the others about a new book.

By Aristotle, or Kierkegaard, or someone that was only new to us.

Someone about whom real philosophers had always known.

We would talk about the “great books” to each other.

And we would enjoy being together.

Maybe it was just an excuse to be together.

That’s probably what it was.

Benjamin Cline

4/28/03