"Disappointment Apples" by Geoffrey Gatza: JUST BUFFALO’s Poem of the Week

Geoffrey Gatza’s poem Disappointment Apples, selected as this week’s JUST BUFFALO Poem of the Week by R.D. Pohl, offers a layered meditation on the tension between expectation and reality, particularly through the lens of culinary dreams. A chef for forty years, Gatza’s experiences in the kitchen inform this reflective and bittersweet piece, which weaves together personal history, language, and the disillusionment that comes with creative aspiration.

At first glance, Disappointment Apples might seem to be a simple story about the pursuit of a culinary innovation—a dessert that could merge the crispness of French fries with the tang of apples, both universally loved and familiar in the kitchen. However, Gatza’s use of language and subtle shifts in the poem’s tone quickly reveal that there’s more at play here than a mere cooking experiment gone awry. Through clever wordplay, Gatza deconstructs the intersection of language, expectation, and failure, ultimately revealing that some things can never be made to fit together, no matter how much we want them to.

The Promise of Discovery

The poem begins with an airy sense of possibility, likening the beauty of discovery to "a blood-orange sun setting on a cold day." This opening line, rich with color and warmth, sets a hopeful mood, one that is quickly rooted in the realities of Gatza’s lived experience. The reference to the sun also hints at the warmth found in the kitchen—where heat, light, and flavor come together to create something new.

In the next few lines, Gatza plays with the linguistic connection between apples and potatoes in French: "In French, apples are apples. Pommes. / In French, potatoes are earth-apples. Pommes de terre." This shift from one fruit to another is significant, as it establishes the tension between the apple (a fruit typically associated with sweetness, freshness, and complexity) and the potato (a humble, hearty, and versatile food). The "earth-apple" serves as a bridge between these two foods, but also hints at the limitations of language and culture—sometimes, naming things in the same way doesn’t make them interchangeable.

A Chef’s Dream, A Chef’s Disappointment

Gatza’s career as a chef weaves through the poem like an undercurrent. He speaks of his hopes to "create a portable / Dessert of crisp, French-fried apples"—an elegant vision of a dish that would combine the textures and flavors of both apples and French fries, two staples of modern cuisine. He envisions the apples "Set in golden matchsticks, like gleaming / Red-boxed McDonald’s French fries," evoking an image of culinary ingenuity and simplicity. The "seductive warmth" of the apples, coupled with the potential for sweetness and sourness, plays into the universal appeal of comfort food.

However, Gatza’s culinary dream soon falls apart under the weight of experience. "In Cooking, apples are pommes. / In Cooking, potatoes are pommes." This repetition, paired with the previous line about naming, suggests that while language offers a sense of unity, the physical world does not always conform to our desires. The apples, no matter how tender inside, "burn in hot oil," and in the process, they disappoint.

The Limits of Experimentation

As the poem progresses, Gatza shifts into a more philosophical reflection. The "hungry spirit of time" and the pursuit of perfection in cooking come face-to-face with the truth that some things just cannot be altered, no matter how many experiments are tried. The line "No amount of experiment, / experience, and discovery / can change my disappointment" captures the essence of this realization. The poetic speaker accepts that, despite his best efforts, the apples are not potatoes, and there is no magic to transform them into what he envisioned.

This moment of acceptance, laced with resignation, forms the emotional core of the poem. It is not just about apples and potatoes; it is about the artist's struggle with the world’s inherent limitations. It speaks to a universal truth—no matter how hard we try, some dreams cannot be fully realized in the way we imagine them. The creative process, however much it involves trial and error, also requires an understanding of when to let go.

A Poem Rooted in Reality and Reflection

What makes Disappointment Apples so powerful is its grounding in reality. It’s not just an abstract reflection on language or culinary art—it is an emotionally rich exploration of the nature of human desire, innovation, and, ultimately, the acceptance of imperfection. Gatza’s use of a kitchen experiment as the metaphorical backdrop for a more profound meditation on failure adds depth and nuance to the poem. His experience as a chef informs the piece with authenticity, making it resonate with anyone who has ever sought to create something and found themselves faced with unexpected outcomes.

In this poem, "apples are not potatoes," and that’s a truth that can’t be altered, no matter how much we wish otherwise. Yet, there is beauty in the disappointment itself. Through it, we are reminded of the importance of perseverance, the limitations of language and expectation, and the quiet grace in letting go.

About Geoffrey Gatza

Geoffrey Gatza is a well-respected poet, editor, and publisher who has made significant contributions to the literary community through his work with BlazeVOX [books], a small press he founded. His poetry collections, such as The House of Forgetting (2012) and Apollo: A Conceptual Poem (2014), have established him as a unique voice in contemporary poetry. Gatza’s latest collection, Self Geofferential (2025), includes the poem Disappointment Apples, which exemplifies his ability to blend personal experience with universal themes.

This week’s Poem of the Week offers us a vivid exploration of expectation and loss, skillfully crafted by a poet with deep ties to the world of culinary art and literary innovation. Disappointment Apples stands as a testament to the delicate balance between creation and disappointment, and the acceptance of imperfection that comes with it. Through this poignant and beautifully structured piece, Geoffrey Gatza invites us into his world, where every failed experiment carries with it a lesson in discovery.

 

Disappointment Apples by Geoffrey Gatza

JUST BUFFALO Poem of the Week, chosen by R.D. Pohl

https://www.justbuffalo.org/geoffrey-gatza-2025-02-02/

Check out Self Geofferential (2025) published by BlazeVOX [books].