italian sourdough

i ordered the starter packet
quarantine, on-line, etsy
aware of the stretch of time in each new day
that somehow feels like
one, vast carpet unrolling
(will it fly)

aware of my longing
for you my friends, my clients, my strangers
conversation

i read the grams, weigh and whisk
cover gently in a warm corner for five days
wait and wonder, add water and flour
sweet encouragements

i whisper to the bubbling aliveness
the fruity effervescence and yeasty rise
we spend a little bit of each day
together
paying attention
i feed her
and she feeds me  

the crunch, the chewy tang
is welcome

         -gina greene, 2020