Making Bread With Maslow

By Cheryl Haimann

First there is water, and heat
(without which nothing is possible)
then food - a pinch of sugar,
or a drizzle of brown honey,
disappearing into the bowl
of warm liquid.

Gently cast the yeast upon the water.
Nothing will happen,
and then it will.
Warmed and fed, the yeast will
come alive
popping up like a great city.

Yeast and water, meet flour.
At first, your association
will be messy and unfocused,
and you may feel overwhelmed.
Stick together. You'll see that
everyone contributes.

When the flour is assaulted,
gluten bands together, defiant
against pressures. Each time
you are beaten down, the yeast
shows you how to rise up again.
Soon the adversary will relent,
admiring the dough's resilience.

There is one last challenge--
literally, a trial by fire--
but then you will reach
your meaningful completion.
You will no longer struggle,
and you will be admired for
your rich simplicity.