Next time...

By Camincha

It has been a long time

since she's seen a teenager eating like that:

hunched over. He ate slowly, calmly,

as if the whole world were at peace,

seen through his eyes. His movements were

precise, deliberate. Every bite he put

into his mouth he masticated carefully.

He took the teakettle and poured himself

a cup, watching the liquid fill the space

as if there was nothing more important in

the universe at that moment. It took

his complete attention. He took some sips,

they met with his approval. He sipped slowly.

Replenished the cup as needed. Savored it.

She hasn’t seen anyone so self absorbed

in a long, long time. She's forgotten that

tea is to be savored, a mudpie to be

relished slowly, reverently and calmly.

Tea and mudpie, she’ll try to remember to

savor them, to masticate them with precise

deliberate movements. Next time she will try

not to rush through the day: getting to work,

organizing files, pleasing boyfriend, checking

e-mail, getting groceries, paying bills.

Next time she'll

savor her tea, slowly, reverently, and calmly

eat her mudpie.

Next time…she'll try to be self-

absorbed.

Next time…

Camincha is a pen name for a prolific California-based writer.