Jon Nakapalau

sliced pickled radish

on tacos al pastor as we watch people walk by the food truck and

you tell me how this recipe reminds you of your grandmother
and that you regret all the times she tried to show you how

to cook but you always put it off because you were trying
to get into college and did not appreciate all the time

she was in the kitchen cooking for you so that you
could get good grades and then you find out that

the man cooking on the grill comes from the
same village as your grandmother then

you take a deep breath and wipe a
tear away as you tell me that she

is still looking down on you.