Burrito of Blessings
A corn bean – soft, yellow, delicious – makes its way into my body,
my mouth craving it, not wanting to let go of it.
But it travels through my throat and into my stomach.
And thus flows the lunch: fried veggies, rice, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese.
Each bite, each ingredient, fulfilling my yearning for tasty Mexican food.
Hunger, I know it was a long tiring day and you deserve to be snuggled and loved.
As I promised, here I am, taking care of you, and satisfying your needs.
My sense of smell, I know you smelt the burrito and felt like jumping into it right away,
so here you are, your cravings met.
As the cheese lathers my mouth, as my teeth chew upon the rice,
I stop eating for a few seconds, the food resting silently in my mouth, as I ask out loud:
How does it feel, my dear body, to not have what you deserve and need?
How would you react if I told you that I can’t afford to buy this meal going forward?
Would you be hurt if I said that we can only eat a quarter burrito?
Would you be anxious if I said that we may not get to have three meals every day?
And my body replies, unambiguously:
Aargh! Never ever do that! Food is what keeps us going every day. Resume the chewing!
Smiling, I do what I’m told, letting the cheese and rice intermingle and make love,
while my mind reminds me of what I should’ve said at the start of the meal:
I am grateful to the earth that supplied the food,
the cows for the cheese, the farmers for growing the veggies,
the cook who made the burrito, the job that paid for it,
the body that digests it, the mind that enjoys it.
It’s not just cheese and salsa topping up the burrito – gratitude is sprinkled all over it,
making its way into my mind, body and soul,
nourishing me as much as the food I’m blessed with.
