Pesto Parmesan Pasta | David Pastuszka

I know how to cook one thing: 

Spaghetti with pesto and parmesan.

And this one thing I can cook, 

I will cook for you.

You haven't eaten all day 

And your eyes are red from crying.

I hug you in the way I know

And boil some water.

I wish I knew more. 

I wish I'd do more.  

I wish I could cook you  

A soup, a steak, a stew.

I would dice up some 

Carrots, onions; 

Throw in some salt, 

Paprika and parsley

All while sharing 

The nutritional value 

Of each individual item.  

You'd be so healthy!

I wish I could  

Go to your classes for you 

Wash your dishes  

Do your missing homework  

Do your dirty laundry  

Fold your clean laundry  

Email that one professor  

Pick up your meds  

Get you on the right meds  

Fix your home life  

Adjust your mindset  

Give you hope  

Promise you a future 

Save you

But for now,  

I set down a bowl  

Of pesto parmesan pasta.

It's the one thing I know.

---

David Pastuszka is a Junior linguistics and theatre student at UAlbany. This is his second time being published in ARCH, having also had his work appear in the Spring 2025 edition. Though both times have been poems, he's found he enjoys writing for the theatre the most.