Carrie Fountain's poem, "Kitchen Table," is a beautiful reflection on the role of the kitchen table in our lives. She writes, "This table is the center of our home / Where we gather to eat, to talk, to love." The table becomes a symbol of togetherness and the heart of the family, where memories are made, and stories are shared.1. "Kitchen Table" by Carrie Fountain
In "Around the Table," Naomi Shihab Nye captures the essence of the kitchen table as a place of gathering and connection. She writes, "We sit around the table / and talk and laugh / and eat and drink / and listen to each other." The table becomes a space for communication and understanding, where differences are set aside, and love and laughter prevail.2. "Around the Table" by Naomi Shihab Nye
Gwendolyn Brooks' "The Kitchen Table" is a powerful depiction of the table as a witness to the struggles and joys of life. She writes, "It is the place where children are told to be / Fierce." The table becomes a symbol of strength and resilience, where families gather to find comfort and support in the face of adversity.3. "The Kitchen Table" by Gwendolyn Brooks
Jane Kenyon's poem, "Table Talk," reflects on the everyday conversations that take place around the kitchen table. She writes, "We pass the salt and pepper / with a smile, and a little chatter." The table becomes a space for casual conversations and sharing of daily happenings, creating a sense of warmth and familiarity.4. "Table Talk" by Jane Kenyon
Billy Collins' "The Kitchen Table" is a humorous take on the chaos and mess that often surrounds the table. He writes, "There are crumbs and coffee stains, / a sticky spot where the syrup dripped, / a smudge of butter on the bread knife." Despite the mess, the table remains a place of comfort and nourishment, where families come together to share a meal.5. "The Kitchen Table" by Billy Collins
Mary Oliver's "Around the Table" celebrates the simple pleasures of sitting around the kitchen table with loved ones. She writes, "We eat, we talk, we love, we laugh, we cry. / And the world spins on." The table becomes a symbol of the cyclical nature of life, where moments of joy and sadness are shared and cherished.6. "Around the Table" by Mary Oliver
Elizabeth Alexander's "Kitchen Table" is a poignant reflection on the passing of time and the memories that are created around the table. She writes, "The table is a witness to all of it: / the food, the laughter, the tears, the years." The table becomes a symbol of continuity and the enduring love and connection between family members.7. "Kitchen Table" by Elizabeth Alexander
In "Table Manners," Sharon Olds offers a raw and honest portrayal of the dynamics that can play out around the kitchen table. She writes, "We sit around the table / and push our food around, / saying, 'I don't want this, I don't want that.'" The table becomes a battleground for familial tensions and unspoken emotions, but also a space for forgiveness and reconciliation.8. "Table Manners" by Sharon Olds
Lucille Clifton's poem, "The Kitchen Table," is a reminder of the simple joys that can be found in the mundane moments of life. She writes, "this is where we start our days / before the world says, no / this is not your place." The table becomes a sanctuary, a space of belonging and acceptance, before the outside world intrudes.9. "The Kitchen Table" by Lucille Clifton
Rita Dove's "Around the Kitchen Table" is a nostalgic reflection on the memories and traditions that are passed down through generations around the table. She writes, "Our hands, passing plates, / weave a braid of love / that binds us to this table." The table becomes a symbol of family heritage and the ties that bind us together. In conclusion, these ten poems beautifully capture the significance of the kitchen table in our lives. It is a place of nourishment, communication, and connection, where memories are made and cherished. So next time you gather around your own kitchen table, take a moment to appreciate the magic that happens there, and maybe even write a poem of your own.10. "Around the Kitchen Table" by Rita Dove