5 hours ago
Overheard
my favorite uncle and his brother
talking in the kitchen Sunday
about days like this
in Vietnam:
“Thing is,” my father’s voice, recognizable
as splitting skulls: “if you want an omelet, well
you’ve got to break some eggs.”
Favorite Uncle grunted, downed
his drink and clapped my father
hard, and it was almost Christmas, so I knew
it was the truth. Next morning, I heard my mother
mention Denver, so I flanked the sleeping kitchen,
climbed into the fridge
and went to work. In time the villagers
awoke, nobody was happy. That’s when I learned
not to trust a word a soldier says.
my favorite uncle and his brother
talking in the kitchen Sunday
about days like this
in Vietnam:
“Thing is,” my father’s voice, recognizable
as splitting skulls: “if you want an omelet, well
you’ve got to break some eggs.”
Favorite Uncle grunted, downed
his drink and clapped my father
hard, and it was almost Christmas, so I knew
it was the truth. Next morning, I heard my mother
mention Denver, so I flanked the sleeping kitchen,
climbed into the fridge
and went to work. In time the villagers
awoke, nobody was happy. That’s when I learned
not to trust a word a soldier says.