First evening

ekphrastic challenge, The Ekphrastic Review

Courtyard Tables, painting by Glenn Harrington
The Ekphrastic Review, who held this challenge, just chose my poem—along with about twenty-four other responses—to post on their website.

First Evening

Smoothing the cloth, he worries— 
Mediterranean cuisine in
Chicago    no customers    
where are they?

Do they not know
the joys of dolmas, paella,
moussaka, shakshuka, 
baba ghanoush, ratatouille?

Will they finally come, dazed
begging for menus
stumbling over dish names
fumbling for their wallets?

He opens kitchen doors
waving a white towel
encouraging the scent 
of his Nonna’s recipes
to bewitch his neighbors