Western Cooking

By Frank Kearns

Her presentation finished
she stands before the group
jet black hair
dark business suit
light brown skin a hint of flush

In the pause………before the first question
the vision is back again
stream of cold dawn mountain light
as grandpa cracks the hogan door
rifle in hand
in search of fox

Meetings over
stopped in evening traffic
cell phone blinking as her husband talks
the kids have choir practice
get some take-out on the way

Eyes on car in front
don’t allow the memory
of rising mist
below the brick-red mountain
but most of all do not allow
the smell of fry bread
cooking on the open fire