My wife was sitting at a stoplight a few years ago when she heard a National Public Radio story about a fifth taste, the other four being sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Often we know it by the name given it by the Japanese, who first identified it early in the 20th century, although we may also call it “savoriness.” “Umami” can be translated as “delicious taste.”
Julia said that the story hit her so hard that she had to rush home and write a poem about it. I share it with you today so that you in turn can share it with a loved one. Think of it as a delicious secret. Say it low and sweet. Umami.
Umami
By Julia Bates
Scientists have discovered a fifth sense of taste
Beyond salt sweet sour and bitter
Japanese for tasty
Umami
Luscious ripe red tomatoes
Warm from the vine
Morel mushrooms
Sautéed in butter
Umami
Green peas
Roasted eggplant gone soft and dark
Tender nearly raw steak
Umami
The heat of the palm of my hand
Over the curve of your back
The soft lobes of your ears
I nibble and twist
Umami
The tender places
You suckle and lap
The coil of heat
Near navel and thatch
Umami
The banquet spread
The abundance of flesh
Wine and bread
Olives and garlic
Chocolates and dark rich coffee
Umami
In sacred chant
In ceremony
In transfiguration
Umami
Addendum: If you’d like some more love poems by Julia Bates, you can write her directly at jrbates(at)smcm(dot)edu. You can also go here to find the favorites of the editors of Slate, the on-line magazine. Poet Robert Pinsky also writes on Slate about two love poems that he appreciates, including one by Renaissance poet Philip Sidney (found here).
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