Mole (Pipian)
Always the search beneath texture,
layers captured in subsidence,
the drift to interpretation: a mixture, meaning
sauce, and its journey from seed to mouth,
the careful blend of herb and fire,
dismembered chiles,
the crushed and scorched fruit
rendered to preserve for consumption
the most tender qualities
and their enhancement towards art.
This is of course not about the mammal with the subterranean lifestyle, but rather a version of the Mexican sauce, pronounced “mo-lay,” which includes, as a main ingredient, pumpkin seeds. It takes a while to put together, but is well worth the effort.
Sure sounded like the mammal in the first few lines! A little startling when you get to the word “sauce” and have to switch gears, but personally I like that little shock.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm. Mole au vin? Or mole enchiladas with mole sauce? 🙂
LikeLike
http://itsfunny.net/just-hungry/
This is making me hungry – with the dismembered chiles and the crushed & scorched fruit. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes. I could certainly enjoy a bit of mole for lunch. Or dinner. Or a snack. Or breakfast.
LikeLike
Now I cannot wait to taste mole. Even if I have to eat the worst version of that sauce, the memory of this poem will elevate the flavor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are many different types of mole, so have fun! And thank you for your kind words.
LikeLike
I’ll bear that in mind when I have mole. I love writings that are not contrived and well thought out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
love the photo of the pumpkin seed. textural heaven!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seemed appropriate. I wish I could claim it as mine, but it’s from morguefile.com.
LikeLike
great website! thx!
LikeLiked by 1 person
very nice. mole is one of those things that even if it isn’t very good it’s still good. toasted pepitas or pumpkin seeds are very good for the male of our species. prostate wise. a thought for the day. lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yeah. I must agree. And I love toasted pumpkin seeds, particularly when they’ve been well seasoned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh this is a tasty poem. No matter which kind you like (make mine coloradito!) mole is magical.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, SJ. I agree – it is magical!
LikeLike
Mmmmm, que rico! I love mole:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
What’s not to love about it? Yum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haven’t had mole in 30 yrs–so good, but I’ve never mastered cooking it myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t say I’ve mastered it, but I can produce a passable one. 🙂
LikeLike
So then, the party’s at your house–what time?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometime on April 1st. It’ll take me that long to gather both the ingredients and gumption to forge ahead. 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful as always, R. Love this esp:
and its journey from seed to mouth,
the careful blend of herb and fire
Love the careful blend of concrete and abstract. *wink*
Diana
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Diana. Somehow it doesn’t taste quite as good when I carelessly blend the herbs and fire. 🙂
LikeLike
‘rendered to preserve’ even your verbs are food-y… in agreement with all the other posters who felt hungry after reading this !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I’m getting hungry. When will this vicious cycle end?
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so original and sounds a nice nutty sauce! Something I have not heard before… thanks for this, Robert 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Iris, you’re in for a treat. It’s truly magnificent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there, Robert! It’s just me – Sherrie de Valeria. This is from my other blog site where I do more of a personal writings and poems, and small stuffs. Till the next time again! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sherrie. I didn’t know about your other blog site. Thanks for letting me know.
LikeLike
Wonderfull, Made me hungry
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to re blog this on my blog i enjoyed it so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Before The Plate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reblogging!
LikeLike
This is one of your most accessible peices, and one of your best. I enjoyed it a great deal and would like to order seconds
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, don’t stop with seconds, Ed. Help yourself to thirds. And thanks for your kind comments.
LikeLike
Yummy! As poetry and as dinner. Kind Regards Cheryle
LikeLike
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person