Not a member of Pastebin yet?
Sign Up,
it unlocks many cool features!
- Perhaps the World Ends Here
- Joy Harjo - 1951-
- The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.
- The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.
- We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.
- It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.
- At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.
- Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.
- This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.
- Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.
- We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.
- At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.
- Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.
Add Comment
Please, Sign In to add comment