Kaffir lime leaves : the mystery resolved.
For months I thought about the distinct taste in the mango panacotta I had at Blakes. It was definitely Asian, but I could not place it. Not mint, basil, or balsam. It was an unusual flavour to have in desert, and I remember it in the little Thai pancakes I'd eaten as a child. I'd used them whole in curries before, but the piquancy of the leaves is revealed only when they are shredded. I'm not sure why I got as excited as I did (enough to write about it), but it was such a bloody relief to have suddenly made the association while chopping fresh herbs for grilled squid.
Basking in the brash generosity of the sun.
Mid autumn, leaves intact, cloudless.
I'm struggling-
With new found time.
Love on loan.
I recalled the item,
And moved on
From crowned thespian to recoiling mimosa.
An infantile reluctance to separate.
It's always hard to do the right thing.
Utilitarianism is a good platform.
Labels.
As I disengaged myself from you.
We had such happiness away from here.
A loss
Of passivity, solidity. Comfort.
Haggling
With guilt, wretchedness, self.
Relativity
Of time- ill, (over)due.
Desperation
As he held onto the tear she'd left on his nose.
Wrestle
Of ease versus honour.
The world shook
Or did they.
Decency kept her awake.
As salt water kept her company.
Languid
In motion and mood.
Eight months bartered
For temporary happiness.
Winter is an awful time to be alone.
Summer she was beaming.
Who's sorry now.
***
I saw a face in the moon tonight.
Undisguised and low,
As if moping along with me.
***
To impossible questions -
Everything happens for a reason.
*
Fate-
To believe, or not.
Wager, command, deny, be led by.
*
Hope-
Only if miscarriage is managable.
*
Regret-
Blaming desire.
*
Lack of regret-
Impeding admission.
*
Pewter-
Like new-year resolutions,
Pretty but useless.
*
Theft-
Of heart.
*
Memory-
The better times.
*