What ended up on the table began

on the side of the highway, but you

of all people know that with enough

hot sauce, enough catsup, maybe a touch

of Taylor ham, even the oldest loafer

in your grandfather’s closet can be made

supple, digestible. Of course there is

the risk of extra protein, iron, manganese,

but you take odds as a marinade. You have

dreamt of this every night since May 12, 1984.