Published on: 10/22/2008
The Canning of Apple Butter

The canning pot, too big for such a
small stove, held boiling water and
awaited the jars of apple butter,
with a hunger only a canning pot could have.
I burned my hands, but not badly enough
to stop altogether, twisting the
bands tightly around jar and lid.
As the tiny, one person kitchen warms
from the canning pot steam, the air
expands and while stuffy there is
still room enough for the both of us.
As it cools, when the canning of apple butter
is finished, there may not be even enough
room for me.