Mama’s Red Cabbage

Red cabbages stacked carefully above the green,

Fairly priced, call out to me: Buy me, cook me up by

the Bohemian recipe…and eat me!

I realize at once from whence that

Siren’s song comes…my own mother’s spirit

I am not unaccustomed to my mama’s (and also my

Papa’s) spirits impelling me to eat their favorite foods

I, being their carnal connection of remembered pleasures

from their lives when they were here among the living

I’ve heard it said that angels don’t eat

Perhaps they don’t miss what they never had

but dearly departed spirits still have

fond soul memories and mama’s voice

convinces me that her red Bohemian cabbage

would really hit the spot at supper tonight

And that is how that red cabbage propelled itself

into my grocery cart and I feel her presence

and it comforts me…

raintreepoet

Whoops! Almost forgot, here is a recipe that comes close:

Bohemian Red Cabbage

1 medium red cabbage (shredded or chopped)
1 tsp salt
1 cup water
1 small onion (chopped, fine)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar 
1 tsp. caraway seed (optional)

Bring water to a boil, turn down and steam cabbage and onion, 10-15 minutes.
Combine sugar, vinegar & salt * and toss with cabbage, coating well.
Cover and let steep about 5 minutes. Serve with chicken or pork loin.
* Add caraway seeds for the Bohemian touch!