Today I bought organic flour
not for the good of the planet
but because I want pancakes —
pancakes and brownies and
peanut butter cookies — and,
there is not a spoonful of flour
to be had, except for the expensive,
kind-to-the-earth variety.
So with the privilege of a credit card
and money in the bank,
I bought organic flour today.
The whole country is baking bread
as though it will help to stave off
the virus. The whole nation’s rising up
making yeast from potatoes
(which I also bought, and not just
to help the farmers,
who are apparently drowning in them),
The whole world’s starting
sour dough starter, bubbling
almost patriotically on our counters.
but really it’s just a “we’re all in this together” meme
on Facebook,— or even a competition
(best looking, crustiest sour dough loaf!) —
except for those
who can’t afford
flour at $5 a kilo
who can’t afford
Internet, who can’t
afford to be all in this together.
If only our kitchen ferment
bubbled out on to the streets.
If only the whole world would rise up
like a loaf of bread and demand justice
for those whose mouths have not
tasted it their whole lives.
annaquon 