this is how you cook white rice
so that it never leaves you full
of hunger but of appreciation
my grandmother said to me
that in a former life
i had accomplished greater things
that would still be reflected
in this one as well
this is how you cook white rice
so that your husband comes home
every day to a plate of food
if he no longer comes to you
if you find a man with that raggedy hair
those trashy jeans
and that mouth of yours
grosera
this is how you cook white rice
so that you don't use packaged flavor
but the seasoning that's been sprinkled
on the ancestral lines of your culture
listen, because these things I tell you
may not seem like anything now. but
when you are over a hot stove you will
wish you listened to your abuela.
copyright 2004 kristina lopez
