Making Loaves

Get a starter with life in it.
Keep it covered.
Feed it often.

The black mother will rise
and fill the kitchen with her tang
even before a match is struck.

Stir. Sift flour, to strain out impurities,
agglutinations,
with a little sugar,
enough salt.

Mix all.
Let the mass rest.

Turn it onto the old board,
fold, press, fold again,
beat the muscular round with your fist
until it springs back from your touch.

Resistance, compliance.
Divide into loaves, let rest once more.
When you have done this again and again
you won’t need measure,

you’ll move in a cloud
of spores like souls, wild yeasts,
perfume your loaves
with your own particular scent.