Thanksgiving Peking Duck

i. the duck

on special occasions:

birthdays, holidays, family reunions

my family always eats peking duck

all day we wait

as the smell of succulent fatty crackling skin

breezes merrily through our house

drawing all to the oven, to the hearth, to the center of home

carving the duck is an artisan’s job

a performance art piece, no less

as the whole family gathers around

plates are set, chopsticks aligned in parallel

with a pop and a fizz, drinks are poured

we settle down for a meal that matters