My mother's accent is
the most popular brand
of salt in her country.
She gently sprinkles a little on
every word before she allows
them to pass her lips.
This is a ceremony that happens
every time she has something to say.
When foreign soil and home
are synonymous, your mouth
becomes a kitchen, each sentence.
an entrée. Every time you speak,
you are preparing a mean, the conversation
is a dinner party and you are the chef,
just hoping
that you used
all the correct ingredients.