On Request

On Request

between wrapping salmon en papillote,
delicately balancing the filet on
a raft of sliced carrot, green onion
and oyster mushrooms, lightly drenched
in Japanese rice wine,

after dipping shrimp drenched in
tempura batter in scalding Crisco,
watching it brown to perfection,

between answering questions on how
best to defrost chicken if you only have
20 minute before company comes,

before dismissing class,

he asked me when I would write a
poem about him again.