Rice

#79: At the End of the Day

And when you chew your rice at the end of the day,
you will know whether or not
the last 12 hours were spent in vain.

You can decide whether to spend a few more
for work that can wait, or to save some
for the life that has been rendered empty by labor.

You can stare into the space
unoccupied by your sleeping family
or by the family of your own that thus far has not materialized.

Alternate spoonfuls of soup with news you do not care about.
Then think about how life has shrunk
so that nothing much could merit your care anymore.

And when you've swallowed it all, drink a cold glass of water.
You will need it to extinguish the gnawing of the knowing
that you have brought yourself there.