Wednesday, April 29, 2026

April 29: Father’s Day and Cheesecake

 


The cheesecake cooling overnight 

inside the powered down oven, 

belted in its springform pan, 

took time to make well. 


He had to pay attention. 


First the grocery list: 

four packages of cream cheese, 

eggs fresh from the farm 

(which wasn’t in the recipe, 

but do it right if you’re going 

to do it at all, best makes best),

also sour cream and sugar, 

an egg white taken out. 


This was no improvisation. 


It was a lesson in exactness, 

in noticings, one step forgotten, 

like the water bath, and quality 

goes right down the drain. 

As he washed out all the bowls,

dried out each measuring cup and spoon, 

I thought: It's not at all about cheesecake. 

(Though it was delicious, still is… 

…I want a slice right now for breakfast) 

No, this was so much more about 

loving someone so much 

you make the decision 

to slow it all down.


Written beside “Bending Sound” by Paula Gordon Lepp



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