With Zen-like simplicity, poet Jerrice J. Baptiste invites us to a seat at her table with the delectable “Spicy Buddha”. It’s a bite-sized poem, but is redolent with aromas and flavors and the themes of community and tranquility, as it details a communal gathering for a meal, overseen by a Buddha, all smiles. “Spicy Buddha” is a poem borne from awareness. Jerrice told The Dewdrop, “‘Spicy Buddha’ offers us a chance to share an interesting meal with Buddha in community.”
Spicy Buddha
Red A-frame wood home smells
of paprika, cumin, curry, cloves.
We chant in a language
foreign from our own.
Our voices harmonize
On Ohm.
We eat our blessed meal
near Buddha in the garden.
He smiles.
Jerrice J. Baptiste
Jerrice J. Baptiste is a published author of seven children’s books and one adult poetry book titled Wintry Mix. The founder of Authentic Poetry workshops in The Hudson Valley, NY for eighteen years. She has facilitated poetry most recently at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, and as the Poet-in-Residence at The Prattsville Art Center & Residency since 2021. Her poetry has been included in the Poetic License—Exhibitions at The Arts Society of Kingston (ASK), and in many reputable journals & magazines: The Shambhala Times, Eco Theo Review, The Yale Review, Artemis Journal, The Banyan Review, Kosmos Journal and many others. She has been nominated as Best of The Net for 2022 by Blue Stem. Jerrice has been the featured poet on Planet Poet-Words in Space, The Woodstock Poetry Society, and The International Women’s Writing Guild.
Jerrice is poet extraordinaire with an inner light that is so rare.