Cooking Water – A Poem

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Cooking Water.

I’m not much a specialist, but I do have a niche specialty

Not a single person calls me a chef

But I’ve perfected a specific dish

 

At this point, it’s not much a secret anymore,

But this dish remains underrated the flamboyance of others

And I alone, have an incredible recipe

To cooking water.

 

Yes, that is right.

Im a water cook, and cooking water is what I do.

I’ll tell you a simple secret, an industry hack if you will

A guide to cooking well made water

Heated perfectly, with unrivaled flavor.

 

It’s quite intricate really,

First you boil a pot a water

And then you’ll see.

The water grows in excitement,

With high energy and an increasing tempo,

When it feels right, just add some water.

And voila! Cooked Water.

 

Beside other meals, cooked water may not be the most “exciting”

However, among the explosive and passionate flavor of others

Cooked water is simple, effective. 

Oh and incredibly healthy! Though not the most nutritious I suppose.

 

I’ve told my friends and they ignore this masterfully crafted dish.

For all my words get pushed to the side and dropped down the volatile culinary ladder

As if my water is “unimpressive”?

 

Alright.

They might be skillful at cooking water too, but I have yet another single secret to share!

I add an extra ingredient, 

and that is love.

 

Yes, it is sheer determination and will that forms my love

And this is what makes me a water cook.

 

But

There’s a nagging feeling behind, 

It is tiny, like a toddler tugging on your sleeve

But when I turn around I see nothing, though perhaps the toddler is too short to see in my peripheral.

And I send this feeling to the time-out corner of my mind, but it always comes back somehow

 

Regretfully, it reminds me that cooked water is my only dish

As if perhaps,

love isn’t enough to define my water?

 

Maybe they’re right. 

Adding water to water doesn’t make cooked water, 

It just makes water

 

And thus perhaps my achievement, my specialty, is dropped down the very same ladder

And left underneath the forgetful steps below

 

But fret not. 

 

I’ll sometimes reciprocate and drop others words down the cliff

Because in the most simple way I can say this.

I like cooking water.

 

Maybe soon I’ll try cooking something else

Like leaves or dried dough in the same pot

But it takes steps and a bit of time to get to that point

And I’m not ready just yet

 

It may be unimpressive,

But it was a long process to learn water cooking,

Though, why should other’s dishes bring mine down?

As I said,

I like cooking water. 

And my water has love.

 

What is Cooking Water?

Mental health issues are a growing, or more understood problem in today’s society. I had the urge to creatively write, so I decided to make this poem echoing it’s issues. I did write it quite casually, so I apologize that it doesn’t accurately represent the feelings of mental illness. I’m not a strong emotional writer.

I wanted to discuss how mental health can affect what is often seen as the “basics” of living. Those with these issues sometimes have difficulty getting out of bed or brushing their teeth. It can often hinder an individual’s motivation to move forward or develop their own life. 

I’ve also seen that taking the process at your own pace is an efficient way of healing. Therefore I wanted to include it as well. You don’t have to follow the normal status quo, just make some realistic goals and build an environment where you can grow forward. I’m not an expert though, so if you want to read more on this topic or suffer some issues, see one of the links below. The first is a mega-list, with specific resources for specific issues. 

I hope this isn’t an over-repeated sentiment. I don’t want to simply say, “get help.” to someone with issues, as I understand that is a difficult process. Personally, I mainly wrote about this because I have wanted to understand mental issues more so that I could help my loved ones. I hope you can do the same, or better yet, hope your loved ones don’t suffer these issues. Stay healthy, and have a good day. 

Resources:

60 Digital Resources for Mental Health Social Work License Map, Accessed 20, February, 2021. https://socialworklicensemap.com/social-work-resources/mental-health-resources-list/ 

 

Pombo, Emmie, Self-Help Techniques for Coping with Mental Illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 February, 2019. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/January-2019/Self-Help-Techniques-for-Coping-with-Mental-Illness 

 

Helping a Loved One Cope with Mental Illness. American Psychiatric Association, Accessed 20 February, 2021,  https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/helping-a-loved-one-cope-with-a-mental-illness 

 

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