Remouillage

You have no care for chopping.

Burnt fingertips are of no consequence,
nor do you fear the occasional scalding.

I watch from the other side
of an open concept room
as you flip a saute,
chop sprigs of parsley,
youthful and sprightly,
to use as garnish.

You have no care for chopping,
a monochrome man,
white cap mushroom hat
flat against your skull bone.

You cook alone (reputation untarnished).

The intense bubbling
of silence
until there is nothing left
but liquified flesh
and warm gray stone.

What will you prepare next,
Chef Death?

I shiver,
be it bland or bitter.

Cover Art: The Spreuer (or Müllen) Bridge in Lucerne has more than sixty triangular paintings that compose the “Dance of Death” series. This panel inspired a reoccurring character of mine, Chef Death.

Chappell Roan “Bitter”

6 responses to “Remouillage”

johnlmalone

something creepy and strange about this one: a hint of cannibalism? of course, I had to look up ‘remouillage’ —

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
K.F. Hartless

It was written for a contest actually. Had to be 100 words, set in the kitchen, and of course, I decided to bring out Chef Death. He’s an indentured chef servant bonded by a fatal mistake to cook through his afterlife…this probably doesn’t all come across in 100 words, but…he’s super fun.

LikeLiked by 2 people

Reply
Samantha Burgett

My god, so, so good. I love the first-person perspective here. It feels like this is simply one little vignette from a larger story, and it’s so intriguing, so easy to image all you describe. I loved it! 💀

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Sam. I’m fairly certain I can hear Chef Death chopping now. I try to ignore it, but he’s always preparing his next dish. I appreciate your comments very much.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Nicole Smith

Yikes, this one was chilling.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Order up, Chef Death is always ready to prepare something fresh.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply