Boy's Lunch

Boy's Lunch

Mom always made his lunch before she was off to work.
Sometimes dad.
Mom knew exactly how to fold the paper bag.
She put his name on it.
Not too big
so the other kids would notice.

The bag was folded down once,
twice, three times
to make a perfect seal,
a perfect handle.

Inside, a sandwich
on dark rye or wheat bread.
Sometimes left-over meatloaf
from Sunday dinner,
lots of ketchup
and a slice of lettuce.
Fresh.

Other times, liverwurst on rye
with spicy mustard
a slice of lettuce.
Fresh.


Fruit and carrot sticks,
a little green box of raisins, a little note.
Hi, honey. Have a good day,
or
There's a surprise in the cupboard
for you when you get home
or
Remember --
feed the Poochie.

accepted by National Gallery of Writing Contribution, Nov., 2009.