Many things in life can make you cry,like the death of Fluffy, a dog you gotas a child, or Aunt Martha, your favoritewho always showed interest in your poetry, but nothing can make you weep like a white onionas you dice it to make marinara sauce or put intoThanksgiving dressing or minestrone soup. There’s irony in telling a funny story while cookingdinner as onion tears streak your cheeksat the punch line, or greeting your daughteras she bursts through the door after school to shareher latest grade triumph, your daughter asking,Mom, what’s wrong, you saying, it’s the onions dear,her saying, why do we eat foods that make us cry. She’s got a point, why do we put up with onionsif they create such tears or sting your eyes if your handshould wipe away the flow as it runs down your cheek,why not use carrots or celery instead, they’d add colorwithout the drama, perhaps we just like an excusefor a good cry, even sob, to honor something joyfulor very sad, without someone saying, It’s okay,everything will be alright.
~Peter Witt
USA