Written By Mary Corro
Seated around the table
We are
Each with a place setting
Who’s Missing?
People who look like me
Experience life
Like me
Who’s Missing?
What’s on your plate
Who dished it out
Will you savor it or choke
Sometime we are fed
What we are
Supposed to swallow
Who’s Missing?
At times it’s delicious
Other times revolting
But we taste it, nonetheless
It doesn’t taste like
Any home cooking
I would recognize
Who’s Missing?
Where are the foods
Of my childhood
Of my family gatherings
What do I answer when my son
Asks what to take to a White Thanksgiving
My reply is tamales and chile
Who’s Missing?
He takes my recommendation
But also prepares a salad, vegetable tray
And pumpkin pie
He returns with
A salad, a vegetable tray
And half a pumpkin pie
Who’s Missing?
Where are the tamales
And chile
I ask
They loved it
I felt included, he replies
We ate our family food
Who’s Missing?
My son has found
His seat at the table
He plate contains
His home cuisine and society’s dishes
His family has grown
He is allowed to be welcomed
He is no longer missing!
