Trruffles (A Chocolate Orgy) Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

She stood behind the counter, feet spread wide
Her hair neatly tied in a bun that the netting tried to hide.
Smiled when I entered, hands covered with sugar dust
So she wiped her hands on the apron. That she must.
Standing behind the display of truffles galore
She seemed to be offering so much more.

The names of each on a card was printed
With the truffles, carefully presented
So they stood out in all their glory
As if to tell a life’s story
Each was held like a newborn at the baptismal font
To be blessed by the mistress who was about to anoint.

“Do you like truffles, ’ she asked with a toss of her head
“Some come here thinking, they’re just high priced chocolate., ” she said.
“And they don’t appreciate the taste and aroma
That each offers to the knowing consumer
As he savors the chocolate as it melts in his mouth
Releasing aroma’s history in flavors, run rout.”

Then she carefully selected one and placing in on a marble square
Carefully, carved sections with knowing care.
As she buisied herself I couldn’t help notice
What a beauty stood before me with chocolates to entice
To sample what was offered. Never mind the price
For this was a meeting between two, that never happens twice.

Taking a small piece and placing it between her lips,
She slowly explained her chocolate, eating tips.
“Notice how I place it on my tongue and hold it there
Before I place against mouth’s roof, the essence to share.
The chocolate melts at body temperature, just like yours and mine
And as it melts, cools the surface, a feeling, Oh so sublime.”

She shifted her feet as if to acknowledge that more was to come
Tasting chocolate is permissive seduction to some.
“Now” she continued and as she slowly inhaled through her nose
She seemed to be in another world, yet she was so close,
With lips together so the nose took command
She reached out and offered a piece with her exquisite, gloved hand.

“After the coolness, “she continued, “You are about to discover
That this bit of chocolate has a history only you can uncover,
The dark chocolate has an earthy aroma that comes from its distant past.”
And with eyes closed (as hers were) “you can imagine the forest vast.
Chirping of birds and calls of animals wild
Those are the memories that the chocolate cannot hide.”

Too soon it was over and she carefully selected just a few
Into a pretty box which from the counter she drew.
Each nestled in its bed of paper like a child
Asleep for the moment but will awaken in a while.
Closing the box with a bit of ribbon and tying it with love
She offered the box to me with a gentle, yet knowing shove.

That will be thirty dollars, she said with a knowing smile
As if to suggest that more had been offered in this little while.
So as it paid up and was about to leave,
I took another sample that she had offered me
And placing it in my mouth with a knowing grin,
I hoped that I would be seeing her again.

Back at the office, I shared my bounty of truffles
Among those who worked with sometimes small rewards
And explained carefully the secret of eating chocolate
Known to some of authority, who indulged in what they ate
Savoring the essence and letting the chocolate melt in the mouth
Was a secret worth sharing with all who were about.

The next day at lunch, I returned to the shops
And wondered what I would do in this second encounter, (romance has its hopes)
As I walked along the sidewalk counting the addresses as I went
I soon reached the block where I anticipated the event
There was 1020,1022,1024, and 1026
But where was the truffle shop, number 1024, as I remembered the number distinct.
Instead was a shop that offered fresh coffee, much like Starbucks sold
But no candy store stood out, to behold.

Today I wonder but am too afraid to ask,
My coworkers if they enjoyed the chocolate repast.
For maybe I am dreaming of another time and place
When the world was a moving at a very different pace
But I will remember and tell all that I can
The proper way to enjoy chocolate; that's my plan.

sjm