The magician had a book
and the book was titled
“The Service Cookbook”
By
Ida Bailey Allen
and I knew that this book
Contained all the Secrets
Of the Kitchen Magic.
I held my breath
As I opened the pages,
Many of them stained,
and Darkened and Shredded
from Use–
But I knew
it contained the Magician’s secrets
Shortening+ sugar+Egg+Vanilla +flour
+baking powder+salt+raisins+milk=
old fashioned Raisin Cookies
or
Sugar + milk+baking soda+
additional sugar+
+Pecans=
Pralines
and
Milk+tapioca+cornmeal+
Molasses + sugar+butter+
salt=
Indian Pudding
Although I was a very young child, I studied the Magician’s handbook, determined to learn all its secrets, and when the opportunity presented itself, I stole the book of Kitchen Magic. Now it was mine and I could perform all the magical things that happen only in the kitchen . And I did.
Sandra Lee Smith, March 2009
