Snapping Beans
An afternoon in my Vavô's kitchen, age 6. One of my favorite snacks.
I mostly pretend to like the chore at hand,
But I can't pretend that the juices aren't irritating the hangnail on my thumb.
At least The Price is Right is on in the background.
I like to watch the spin of the wheel,
Though you likely prefer watching the contestants win.
I welcome the sun bursting in through sheer white curtains
As the smell of Vavó's biscuits wafts through the kitchen.
While our unshared language causes a barrier between us,
The simple pleasure of unspoken stories rings true.
Interacting through the fruits of our shared labor,
We spend time in the company of our ancestors,
Snapping beans as the open windows offer us respite in the form of a summer breeze.
Separated by a sea between the old life and the new,
United by an action; simple and sincere.
____________________________
Vavó = Portuguese for grandmother.
Vavó's biscuits = I don't know how to describe it other than a mix between a cookie and a biscuit, they're wonderful. Recipe here.
About the Creator
Ashley Lima
I think about writing more than I write, but call myself a writer as opposed to a thinker.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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More stories from Ashley Lima and writers in Poets and other communities.
The Business of Nature
Dew drops reflected the light of the sun. The inhabitants of Whispering Woods woke up to the golden droplets of water on the leaves of the flora. The oaks particularly enjoyed the light and the maples did, too. Happiness enveloped all who lived there, even the rocks that cried out in the night delighted in the morning.
By Skyler Saunders3 days ago in Fiction
Comments (19)
Congrats on Top Story!🥳🥳🥳
This is lovely
My father's parents were vegetable farmers. Your lovely story reminded me of my childhood hours spent snapping butter beans on the farm house steps, watching ears of corn not popping in the baking heat. Thank you for the memories!
Congratulations on sharing such a wonderful writing!
Very nicely done. thank you so much.
I don't know how to describe it other than 'delightful.' Great work, it stirred so many wonderful emotions in so short a space. Just wonderful.
I love veggies - all of them (well not so much eggplant) and snapping the beans and eating raw, or sauteeing with garlic and salt...yummy. Loved your poem, congrats on TS. Great memories.
I also love these beans in all types of curry and snacks. congrats
Very nicely done. I felt like I was right there in the kitchen. Congrats on the TS.
We used to snap beans as mom watch the young and the restless. Nice memory. Thank you - Congrats on your top story
Wow. You completely immersed me in Vavô's kitchen and I loved every second of it. Calming, sincere, happy and homey. And the line "we are in the company of our ancestors" was like the cherry on top for me. Wonderful writing!
congradulation dear on your top story.
This is delicate and elegant and gorgeously nostalgic. Beautifully done.
Really nice poem and I've been there. Excellent challenge entry
Beautiful!! What a heartwarming throwback to your past!
This took me right back to snapping beans with my mom while her soap opera was on. Beautiful poem! You captured a very sweet moment. Congrats on the Top Story!
It's always nice to reminisce about the things that made you smile as a kid.
Man I love snap peas
Heartwarming & loved it!!!💕❤️❤️