FIRST PRIZE - BATTENBURGS AND LEMON DRIZZLERS BY ANGELA MCCABE

                                         BATTENBURGS AND LEMON DRIZZLERS
                                                                                                        BY ANGELA MCCABE

Ladakhi women in tall hats,
long plaits and turquoise capes,
grind all day the nuts
into pure almond oil,
sing Hoi Cho Cho Lay Song.
 
Now yellow cream caresses my face,
transports me to a time
when we chopped almonds,
made marzipan for Christmas cakes,
Battenburgs and Lemon Drizzlers.
Irish women baking in floral aprons
and A line skirts.
 
Drop by drop of measured time,
my friend’s skin
welcomes the healing liquid.
Effleurage
down the deep curve of her spine.
Me singing the song
of the Turquoise women.
 
My hands dance along her buttocks.
Knead, roll, pummel,
arms, legs, feet glisten.
Her long plaits tied up.
Me wearing a Ladakhi amulet
and a Claddagh necklace.