Liesl Jobson


I love the colour of butternut and carrots
grown in my own steaming garden,
Highveld red earth and jacarandas,
lilac dripping purple, popping,
after an electric storm.

I love the smell of vegetables
roasting in buttermilk and garlic,
sprinkled with Parmesan
and jewel-green parsley.

I love firm clingstone peaches
picked in the Cape,
steeped in sweet balsamic vinegar
served with spoonfuls
of cinnamon-sprinkled
crème fraiche.

Passion adorns the table
where chardonnay glints
pale and gold on a pure
white cloth.

Tonight each adored one
shall be done and undone,
we will nibble each other
serving each mouth
our naked orange lust.