‘How To Condense Milk’ Published at Silver Birch Press!
I am excited to share my poem, How To Condense Milk, is published at Silver Birch Press as part of their HOW TO poetry series. The series embraces how-to’s from the magical to the mundane in creative expression.
Silver Birch Press is independent publisher located in Los Angeles, passionate about sharing creative expression in all its written and painted forms.
Much like Ode to True Caramel, How To Condense Milk is a tribute to the delicious treats and sweet sauces that are most often no longer made patiently by hand but bought in cans and packages.
I enjoy evocative and tasteful food writing and have often entertained thoughts of trying my hand at writing where words intersect with food. When I sit down to write about the gastronomical me, it is mostly poetry and prose that flows. I go with it.
I love making time sensitive concoctions that require hands-on attention. I am involved in the process, putting myself into the confection, totally present.
Being present is an art. It is a practice in the consciousness of now. It is acknowledgement of not the past or future but the powerful of the present. My best writing comes when I do not struggle over the first stanza or fight with the last but simply write as one might dance to music that moves.
If you can clear your plate and sit down to your writing with an empty mind, consider allowing yourself to be absorbed by writing, to really let it be the only thing in your mind. Let the words fill you.
I invite you to enjoy How To Condense Milk and savor it as you might a taste of something delicious and fleeting.
I entice a fluffy cloud to rise above the
Silver rim of my grandmother’s pot by
Whisking until my wrist falls off,
Until the hands on my broken clock stop . . . please continue reading here and share your beautiful thoughts!
Painting: The Milk Maid by Johannes Vermeer (c1660).
Want access to more delicious writing? Join me on Patreon!
Boffin Bubble
You really are embracing the art within writing. The words are magical and meaningful. Plus the lush concoction of ‘something’ tasteful that awaits makes me look for more! Congrats Jaya!
S.S. Mitchell
Congratulations on yet another poem being published, you are inspiring me! I am obsessed with incorporating food into my writing too, it seems like such a necessary human component to add to our craft which helps make it relatable.
Jaya Avendel
Yes! Food adds taste and smell, which definitely creates bridges between the words and reading.
bloglifewitherica
Congratulations Jaya! This is awesome. Your poems are always so tasteful so I love the story behind the type of work that is shared.
xo Erica
Jaya Avendel
Thanks! I particularly enjoy sharing the story behind the story. <3
Array
This has to be one of my favorites. I loved it because I cook a lot and I actually felt what you were describing. Lovely!!!!
Jaya Avendel
💖 Fellow kitchen witch, love that you felt this so deeply!
quirkymoms486
Reminds me of my nana! Wonderful Jaya, loved it!
Raji (@journeyintofantasy)
Congratulations on another publication Jaya! I really enjoyed reading this one!
bournemouthgirl
Congratulations on a beautiful piece. I love how your writing shares a story and builds a picture for your readers. Thank you so much for sharing your piece. Xx
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Lauren! I try to build up each feeling and little picture into something bigger for sure! ☺️☺️
bournemouthgirl
You are a very talented writer
Merry
Congratulations! Congratulations! *I’m singing a song now* Congrats on another publication Jaya! Such a beautiful piece 😀
barbaraleaver
Congratulations on being published again. I also write by hand mostly and always keep a notebook close by just in case my mind wanders
Jaya Avendel
It is always handy to have paper close at hand! I often feel a little lost if I cannot immediately write my mind down.
Michele Lee
Congratulations, dear Jaya. In addition to your beautiful imagery and use of metaphor, you write with such awareness and honesty about family bonds and connections. I love the line, “At the bottom of my grandmother’s pot.” Many meanings. I mentioned both of my grandmothers and their cooking/baking in my post for tomorrow, so your poem has special relevance for me. 💕 If I did not already have a pot simmering, your poem would motivate me to start. Lovely! I look forward to more “food” writing from you.
Jaya Avendel
😄 Thank you, Michele! I am so happy this piece found you at such a perfect time. I love that you share your favorite line from this piece and a little peek at some of your future writing!
Michele Lee
It is always the perfect time when your pieces find me. 🌹
Unwanted Life
I was wondering what was going on with the title, and now I know. Congratulations on getting another one of your fab poems published
Robin LeeAnn
Congrats!
Stephanie
Congratulations! It’s so incredible that your poetry was published in this way. That’s really exciting. I also love the content of the poem. My sister is a baker and a cook and I think she’d really appreciate your heart behind this one!
Jaya Avendel
🙂 Thank you! Fellow cooks and writers have a way of finding mutual connection.
Kelly Diane
Such a beautiful piece. It really transported me to being sat in my nans kitchen listening to stories she told of her younger days.
Jaya Avendel
Just the mention of a beloved older relative has such a transformative effect! Love that you connected with this, Kelly.
katmoonblue
So good!
Andrew McDowell
Congratulations!
eob2
The thoughts that emerge in the mind, as do the flavors in the pot/bowl. I had to chuckle at the wrist falling off (know that feeling). Yum @homemade caramel sauce. I too write first drafts by hand, it just works for me as well. So, once again congratulations on you progress in being published. 😊🎉🌷
Jaya Avendel
Delighted to know you love handwriting your first drafts as much as I! That wrist falling off feeling is real. 🙄
eob2
Yes it is! 😁
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
And furthermore you also transmitted me a sense of being wrapped in an atmosphere soft just like condensed milk.
<3