The Painted Table

92 Madison Street at First
April 16, 1996

I express with raised eyebrows and gaping mouth
wonder, awe, and shock.

I don't know if I should eat this art placed before me.
I think it's a crime to stab this salad with my fork.

It's shaped cylindrical, like cranberries out of a can
before they're sliced for Thanksgiving dinner.

Each layer is a different vegetable or sauce
combined in a study of textures and tastes.

I wonder if Tim Kelley, the chef, finds ideas for menus
in museums, art classes, or culinary schools.

Or is it something he finds
looking out from the top of the Space Needle during a sunset,
or flying a kite from Gas Works Park,
or strolling through Pike Place Market
that inspires him to create edible masterpieces.