Family Recipe

I’m trying to stretch out the grocery bill

with a bag of onions and a lack of skill.

The stainless steel pot is missing a grip,

and I’m reading an email about a late ship.

The smell of the burn hits the back of my throat,

not the rich, heavy stew that she used to promote.

Just charred, bitter bits stuck fast to the pan,

the salt-heavy failure of a half-baked plan.