By Isaac Margolis
When I awake, the emptiness is like a constant ache I long
for something to fill the void, to soothe my tumtum But
all I find is emptiness, a hunger unfulfilled A void that
grows with every passing hour
I feel like I'm fading, disappearing into thin air
Until I'm nothing but a ghost, a hungering despair.
The aroma of chili oil lemon pasta, the sizzle of a fried egg
The crispness of a perfectly fried banana
All make my mouth water with anticipation.
It's an insatiable desire that can't be ignored
From savory to sweet, from salty to spicy
I crave it all, every taste, every bite.
One day I came across a bowl
Filled to the brim with cooked noodles,
I stole some from the bowl
And made what soon came to be
the food that stole my heart instantly:
Chili Oil Lemon Pasta.
As I experimented with my next masterpiece,
Each version had a slightly different taste.
One too sweet, one too spicy
But in the end, I found the perfect recipe.
And as I placed the finished product on my waiting tongue,
I gasped in delight, savoring the unique taste of the noodles.
I am surrounded by food, by heaps and heaps of it in my dreams
When I wake, I wipe away the tears that form from the loss
Every time I find myself awake in bed, without food I die a little
more inside
Putting the first bite of any dish in my mouth
I let it sit in my mouth for just a moment
Letting my tongue feel the texture
Before slowly swallowing
The rush of passion that overcomes me when I see food
Is incomparable to none
I cannot keep myself from lunging
Running, throwing myself over whatever stands in my way
To get a single taste.
Food is more than just sustenance to me
It's a passion.
A love affair.
An obsession.