when I was a kid
my grandmother had these dishes
that she used daily
they were called
Belle Fiore
and they were
made by Simpsons
when I moved here
20 years ago
my life was in shambles
and I was ill prepared
to deal with anything
my Crohn’s was postal
I had no funds
no job
no life
as things
started to get better
I started purchasing
single pieces
of Belle Fiore
to mark
celebratory moments
in my life
it started with
one single
cream picture
and today we have
and much more
this year
at the behest
and urging
of my aunt Marigold
and my cousin Roberta
I have started using
this set of dishes
as my everyday
seems a waste to have them
and not use them
I have to tell you
every time I reach into the
kitchen cupboard
I am tickled
I never once have
not stopped
and grinned
like a Cheshire
remembering
my youth
and my Grandmother
which always
also brings me
to remember
my Mom and Dad
(although mom is still here
she’s got dementia…soo…)
I often giggle
and examine the dish pattern
before putting food on it
also
there’s something to be said
for longevity
in using dishes from the 1940s
and an added bonus
is that the dishes themselves
are not 12 inch corning ware plates
but 8 inch dinner ware
with a 1 inch lip
so a full plate
leaves me sated
but not stuffed
they are bright
and colourful
and make me
immensely happy
and that’s something to celebrate!
