Poem by the Dutch writer Marjoleine de Vos

THE URGE TO COOK

With greedy breasts desire stands at the work-top

slurps seed out of tomatoes, watches the swelling

of batter under its damp cloth. Her hand fondles

the sirloin of prime young beef, its searching tongue

is made for hers, enraptured she slides its

meaty balls into the pan. Passion

is a kitchen princess with touchable skin,

downy as dough, fragrant as butter, a defenceless

duck freed of its bones that wants to be naked

as an olive in oil, a peach in its juice.

She wants to be dismembered on the chopping block,

touched by gluttonous fingers and guzzled piping-hot.

To be a fish, swimming in creamy sauce

cradled, known, craved, enjoyed.