Slumgullion
In the time of the virus,
Every other Wednesday
Marie concocts pasta stew
With ground beef, elbows,
Chopped tomatoes, onions,
Green peppers, crushed garlic,
And a jar of branded red sauce,
Filling a deep skillet to the brim.
This favorite will last the week,
Better reheated on the stove
Or given a second life topped
With sliced cheese in the oven.
We’ve all been home-cooking
In the long months of lockdown,
Whipping up crowd-pleasers by heart
And re-thumbing Julia’s recipes,
Watching Jacques Pépin’s quick
Casual videos on the laptop, lifting
Tips from the Globe food writers.
Our sharp knives get a workout.
We don’t count the dirty pans.
No need to rush. This dish
Could use a little hot sauce, too.
—Paul Marion