Korean BBq Love

---

Sao Mai

An hour and a half,

sometimes two –

that’s what it takes

to love someone over fire.

The grill hisses,

meat sears,

garlic sizzles –

your chopsticks turn the slices

before they burn.

You never let me go hungry.

Sweet bulgogi, spicy heat,

pork belly’s heaven scent – our feast.

Side dishes crowd the table,

each one a small offering –

kimchi heat, pickled radish bite,

lettuce leaves folded into pockets of care.

You built me a wrap,

smiled as I ate,

your fingertips brushed mine

with the sesame oil.

We laughed at the smoke,

how it clung to our clothes,

how we’d smell like each other

long after we left.

Korean BBQ –

a slow ritual of patience,

flame-tendered love,

where every bite says:

stay a little longer.

--- Haiku ---

Smoke curls, time lingers – 

fire-fed love in shared portions,

endless little plates.