Life giving liquid,
stolen,
squeezed from cow, goat or sheep
denied to calf, kid or lamb.
carried in buckets
poured into pans
gently warmed
curdled by rennet
separated,
into cloud like curds,
waste whey to pigs,
solids packed into moulds
wheels, logs, truckles,
penetrated by penecillin
contaminated by mould
coated in ash,
wrapped in nettle leaves,
set on boards
hidden in cool caves
attended daily,
turned, burnished
matured for months
until crusted like the moon
or coated with downy white bloom
rested, flavour developed
aroma released
salty smelly, pungent
hard, soft, oozing
enhanced by chutney, grapes, nuts,
the farmer’s lunch
a ploughman’s mid day meal
a challenge to both
gourmets and poets
to find words
to describe cheese.
[This is a Featured Poem from our Spring 2024 Poetry Contest.]