artwork: ralph murre
Quick as Piranha
by
Donal Mahoney
Tucked
in a booth in back,
the
last customer of the day
cracks
a fortune cookie,
sips
Oolong as Mr. Hong
locks
up. It’s time for his supper.
Two
tall sons bear
from
the kitchen dishes
his
wife won’t allow
on
the menu.
Platters
of meat
red,
green, brown
huddle
and steam
in
the middle of the table.
When
the Hongs
drop
in their seats
chopsticks
fly
like
beaks. So many bright teeth,
quick
as piranha.
~ first published in Sand Castles Magazine
