Two Poems
alexandra servey
laksa for two
there is something about this onion
on this night chopped slowly
tip of the blade to the base all in the
wrist something about the smell
salty but the taste sweet some-
thing about the way it hits
the pan the sizzle the juicy-
ness something about the color golden
from the butter and the
curry and the heat something
about the meat over-seasoned
all the spices rubbed into thighs
how tender the chicken when
you render the fat how it
fries in the pan with the onion and
the butter and the curry and the
paste from the bag and the milk
from the can something about
the taste of the chili and the
hint of the lime something
about the time spent with a
lover to cook a warm meal
something about the appeal
when you add in the broth and the
broccoli and the chives something
about the soup when the stove
is on high and it hisses and it bubbles
and the spices in the air burn your
eyes something about the noodles
cooked in a separate pot something
that’s hot in the back of your
throat on the tip of your
tongue something you appreciate
when you sit down across from your
lover to eat and you think of the butter
and the onion and the meat
and the hard-boiled eggs pain-
stakingly peeled and the energy you
gave to make this meal and how
when you take a bite the joy you feel
is real
ratatouille for one
tonight i make
ratatouille
i mince garlic
i cube eggplant
i chop shallots
i cry
i slice in moons
the summer squash
and zucchini
some are too thick
so i halve them
again
the tomatoes
i dice and salt
and set aside
and the basil
i tear in eighths
slowly
everything goes
in the big pot
with vinegar
some olive oil
and the chickpeas
more salt
i stir until
it boils turn down
the heat and let
it simmer now
it is ready
to eat
alone
alexandra servey
Alexandra Servey is a writer and library worker based in Philadelphia. They have an MFA in Creative Writing, and their manuscript eggs was a finalist for the National Poetry Series 2023. Servey is also a medieval scholar, a master foot juggler, and an award winning bridge player. On weekends, you can find them reading a good book or enjoying various ttrpgs