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The Cambria Center for the Arts offered local artists and writers the opportunity to collaborate for the current gallery exhibit. Painters created works, and writers composed a short accompanying piece. The only limit imposed was 250 words maximum. I selected a painting titled “Late for the Bakery” by artist Cindy Stiles. Her work set me thinking beyond bread and cake. I offer this poem entitled “Our Daily Bread.”
Late to the Bakery – Artist Cindy Stiles
Our Daily Bread
A tinkling bell announces arrivals.
Sights, scents lead to temptation, salvation.
What to touch, what to taste?
Answers lie half-hidden behind the counter,
beckoning in tall glass cases.
A complement of diversity stands in service,
ready to meet wants, needs.
To the left, day-old offerings,
To the right, shining richness.
Extravagant decadence?
Let them eat cake.
Essential sustenance?
Let them eat.
Feed the hungry. Sate the beast.
Day passes.
Resources dwindle.
Redistribute across racks and shelves.
Make it seem like more, or at least enough.
Toiling,
feeding others so they can feed their own.
Family, community, travelers.
The lost.
Who will be fulfilled?
Who left wanting?
Who will be left tomorrow?
Or the next day?
A tinkling bell announces departures.
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In addition to the gallery collaboration, photographer Nigel Paul (who I wrote about here) exhibits his stunning works of creatures who call the area home.
Thoughts From The Back Of The Room 
Thank you for choosing my painting “Late to the Bakery” for your interpretative poem, “Our Daily Bread.” It’
s a new experience for me to have a painting of mine inspire a poem and I love the poem. I particularly like the bell that rings when the customer enters and again when the customer leaves. Between the two bells, thoughts of what bread means to hungry people. I’m smiling.
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