We sat beside our daughter at a rough, hand-hewn table that stood on two-by-four legs. At the time, she was studying at the Hochshule fur Musik in Freiburg, Germany. We’d been invited to dinner by her fellow student, Christiana, who’d grown up in what was then East Germany. Christiana’s parents and brother were visiting. And so we joined them in her rural one-room rental, with access to bathroom and kitchen. We brought the wine.
The family served a simple meal on mismatched chipped plates. Wildflowers sat in a glass jug. No napkins. No English. And yet we laughed and spoke with our hands and eyes. At times, our daughter translated. I do not remember what was served, nor the aromas. I do remember the simplicity. The open and freely offered friendship across cultures. The sharing of so much more than food.
amidst weeping glaciers
debris fields give way to streams
wildlife quenches thirst
Written for Haibun Monday at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. Today Toni asks us to write about one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Photo is of us during a glacier hike in Alaska. We eventually got to the foot of the glacier that, through its melting, creates this stream. Pub opens at 3 PM Boston time. Come share a meal with us!
lillian the home poet 
Hmm. I think people should be made to have these sorts of interactions now and again. Eye’s, hands, gestures and laughter 🙂
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I sooooo agree! Thank you, Jacqueline.
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What a glorious meal! I love it. All the details go towards making this a true feast for the heart. Your haiku is also superb. I love the weeping glaciers.
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Thank you, Toni. I always feel so happy if my haibun get a good response from you. 🙂 PS: For today’s river prompt, I think I finally got the haiku in the two parts you explained to me 🙂
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I love it that the best meals ever seem to center around the people who are sharing the meal, rather than the food. That’s how it should be.
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I so agree. I just finished reading all the posts for this prompt and it was a true delight. So many tasty morsels/posts. And so many of them point to exactly this truism that you mention here!
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Yes it’s the company and the place that make all the difference… maybe more an understanding of humanity than anything else.
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Exactly! I think I was most struck with the “richness” of the meal, no matter the chipped plates, one room, etc.
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This is turning out to be a sensational & very personal prompt; grin. Your feast memory sans specific food is wonderful. To think you had such a glorious event without understanding German seems fantastic to me–but I have not been a world traveler–though I must say a few trips to Mexico put me in similar situations.
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Thank you, Glenn. Just finished reading all the posts for this prompt…and I agree. So many personal memories and so many delicious posts! 🙂
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Food is the least important thing shared at a meal. It is like an excuse to get together. It is no wonder you don’t remember what the food actually was.
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Well, in this particular time, that was absolutely true! I do remember other meals, other tastes, other amazing desserts…..but none as “rich” as this served on chipped and mismatched plates by a family who lived on the edge for many years.
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What a glorious experience that must have been, Lillian 😀 I agree, when people offer warmth in return, it’s no wonder we forget about the meal! ❤️ Beautifully penned.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
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Thank you, Sanaa! 🙂
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This sounds so memorable. I love that you can’t even remember what you ate. I suspect there will be lots of haibuns that recollect meals, but not the food eaten, tonight. We are social creatures, and sharing food – breaking bread together, becoming companions – is built into us.
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So many meals are the true meaning of “communion.” A communion of souls…a true sharing of friendship. So glad you enjoyed, Sarah.
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beautiful haibun… a simple morsel and good company is splendid… it wonderful when people are brought together in usual ways and still can find joy… there’s hope for this world
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It was truly a remarkable evening! 🙂
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enjoyed the lovely memories here, simple joys savouring another person’s company. It’s rare to feel relaxed and enjoy a meal even with those we are familiar with so this special connection I felt was forged by a group of really good people coming together.
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Thank you for this thoughtful comment. Although there was nothing “expensive” about this meal…and it was served in the most simple way on chipped plates, on a handmade table in one room…it was one of the “richest” meals we’ve every had. 🙂
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i can so relate to that and thank you for sharing the “meal” with us.
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Marvelous experience!
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It was indeed!
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What a beautiful time! For something special like that who needs words? Magic of life.
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Oh yes, indeed. Language of the heart and laughter 🙂
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I am so charmed by this:
“No napkins. No English.”
And the way you take us there. Everywhere. Every time.
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Thank you, De. I so appreciate your kind words here! Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
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Food is an international language, especially if it’s good. It sounds to me like it bridged East Germany with West.
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Yes indeed……and the US with Germany too! 🙂
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What a pleasant memory. There is something about food that transcends language barriers! Thank you for sharing.
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Exactly! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
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The magic of honest hospitality, Lillian – no language required!
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Exactly….china and crystal not needed….just laughter and smiles and openness 🙂
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“No napkins. No English. And yet we laughed and spoke with our hands and eyes.”
Oh how beautiful is it to experience such connection. 🙂 Love this. and the haku too!
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Thank you! It was one of the “richest” expriences we’ve ever had……..served on chipped plates in a one-room rental….sitting round a handmade table. 🙂
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oooh. rich indeed. thank you for sharing! 🙂
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What a wonderful cross cultural memory. This is a meal as it should be….with humanity. the haiku is lovely
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Thank you! It was a very very special night 🙂
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What a wonderful write of the fine feast of both friendship and food.
Many a dine out, the biggest memory is that of fine company.
Kind regards
Anna :o]
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These kind of memories will feed us for eternity.
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