Exotic spices

Photo of a stone Buddhist figure holding a pyramid of spices at a travel agency on rue Mabillion, Paris.

I grew up longing for something exotic
perhaps a little spicy
anything but my plain white bread upbringing

So I set out for the big city
where I surrounded myself with colourful characters
sampled international cuisine

Developed a taste for the exotic and unusual
visited open-air markets in the Middle East
where the beauty of stacks of bright spices

arranged in towers or pyramids
rivaled the intoxicating smell
in an overwhelming fusion for the senses

Like a child, longing to dip my hands
into the enticing colours
and cover myself head to toe in powders

I sat on a cushion in a Bedouin tent
watching as women deftly mixed spices by hand
like an alchemist's elixir

Tantalising smells wafting past me
as the food slowly cooked to perfection
nothing written down

Recipes shared only within their tribe
I coaxed and cajoled, but all pleas refused.
"The secret's in the spices."

For more spicy tales, visit Sunday Scribblings.

Comments

[Catherine]

You have such a wonderful storehouse of memories.

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

Wonderfully introspective poem ... yes, the mystery is in the spices, but the spice is sometimes found in the knowing. You are amazing! xx, deb

[Annie]

I'm a first time visitor. Your site has such a rich appearance and your words are revealing. Beautiful.

[deirdre]

I know so little about Middle Eastern spices, but now I want, even more, to learn.

[ally bean]

"The secret's in the spices."

Always it seems to me. In cooking and in life.

[Amber]

I love it!! The pic is wonderful, and the story of you. You looking fo r, and FINDING a bigger life!

:)

[meredith]

I'd like to follow in your spicy footsteps.

[Melba]

A wondeful piece of writing. And it seems you have a spicy life full of color. Far from white bread!
XO,
Melba

[clockworkchris]

Such a beautiful poem with so much of a life story involved about how tribes keep their secrets to themselves. The imagery was very strong with this one. I love hearing about your many trips to various places around the world. Keep up the fantastic work.

[Rob Kistner]

Tara - What a wonderfully exotic life you live... and what a wonderful piece of writing! Sheesh!! ;)

The photograph is fascinating.

[kim]

I adore your photo. The blue in the Buddha's hands is gorgeous.
"watching as women deftly mixed spices
by hand
like an alchemist's elixir" ~beautiful image

[Kamsin]

I love your last line "The secret's in the spices"! And I totally love the blue, of the spice pyramid!

[Matthew]

My imagination is enticed by your descriptions. Seems as if you have stumbled upon the right combination of spices in your own life!

[artzyjudie]

Just stopping by to gawk at your wonderful pictures. That guy with the ring a few posts back...I bet he dropped the ring there himself and just pretended to find it.

[Herb]

Great imagery! I can picture myself strolling around the market you describe, losing myself in the array of intoxicating aromas.

[pam aries]

OKaY..Tara Spice! now I am hungryyyy! Your post is a feast for my senses!

[gautami]

All your posts are spicy for me! I enjoy reading those. I lurk too..:D

[Britt-Arnhild]

I am looking for spices everywhere. Sometimes the longing for new spices gets too strong.
Your words hit me strongly today and will find their place in my diary.

[bella]

I love how your spirit sought out something spicier. Your stories are fascinating.

[chiefbiscuit]

As always PP visiting your place affords a veritable smorgasbord of delights for the eye! :)

[rel]

Tara,
It's obvious to me, that antique shopping brings out the creative poetry muse in you! ;-) This piece is a favorite and I'd like to copy it with your permission? (just for my own perusal).
"The secret is in the spices"...truly!
and.....
"Like a child, longing to dip my hands
into the enticing colours
and cover myself head to toe in powders"

I'm impressed. :0
rel

[tinker]

What a deliciously-spiced post - and the accompanying exotic photo is the perfect ingredient! XO

[KG]

The pyramid of blue spice is very intriguing.

It's fascinating how family/tribal recipes can be so closely held. Your poem evokes images of recipes that would lose their magic if their ingredients were shared. I enjoyed getting glimpses of this mysterious world.

[eb]

yeah - again - you are tagged - come visit

xox - eb.

[awareness]

and maybe the secrets of life too are found in the spices.

great photo......to accompany your wonderful post.

[eb]

oh! I love this - is so captures how I have been feeling - in cote d'Ivoire at the markets there were these heaps of powders and spices - once purchased - wrapped in brown paper and twisted on top - oh the delight and sensual pleasure of those experiences

xox - eb.

[colleen]

Blue spice? I'm so intrigued. I love the way they arrange them in pyramids, but it makes me want to blow them over. Don't sneeze.

[Nina]

Hi Tara,

I am sorry I haven't been leaving comments on your space for a while. I frequent this space everyday...without fail. Your photos are lovely. Most of the time, I wish I have more money to splurge on all the beautiful things you show in them...

That blue powder pyramid on the palms of that Buddha...It reminds me of natural blue dye. The indigo pigment from woad? I thought I have seen something similar in Eqypt. May be I am mistaken.

Love.
Nina xxx

[Tammy]

Tantalising describes your poetry perfectly. The last line was a great kicker. XXOO

[Jeanne]

Fabulous.......
I love all that you post.
Blessings!

[Carla]

Hi there. This is a test comment so please ignore it.

[Skyelarke]

I loved the spices in pyramids in Egypt! So intoxicating for all the senses.