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.