Pickles

There’s a road sign that

one sometimes passes

on the country roads of Quebec

a child lying still on his side

next to the road

 

And the words read

“This child could be your own”

though of course

they are written in French

 

But you’d rather add brine

to an overabundance of peas

peppers and zucchinis

stuff them safely away 

in a dark spot

in the kitchen cabinet

in a mason jar and 

wait

for the lactic acid tang

to bring out 

the pickle

 

These pickles 

are living things

you know

and you can 

almost taste them

with their garlic

and dill

 

But instead

you think about 

snake urine

and how it 

might smell

 

The child will be fine you say

He’ll grow up to be an insurance broker

Get a divorce at 43 

and when he’s eighty-four

his toes will be like gherkins

his nails infected with fungus

and he’ll remember 

that day 

when he

played dead.

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[sienikeha]

excellent pen. :)

[kmartell]

I want to say something but cannot, the rabid bats let loose in Sybal's house won't let me, my ex wife has a plan to rid us of these odd creatures. I hope she succeeds. I am visiting here with my laptop. I have to duck occasionally. One just got slapped across the room by the ceiling fan. My exwife feels bad for it. I am much less sympathetic. Hence there lies some of our differences. bye. keep writing mr skinless. We are your fan-base.

[Muse]

Your work will always amaze me. So much creativity and dark humour.

[SkinlessFrank]

Quebec Roads, I still want to drive them myself one day...
Those are more yearning my head than route 66.... ;)
The Canadian speaking french is lovely, the richness, the value.
Yes all in in culture or products is acidic at a given moment
The combination of garlic and dill I am comparing with fish...
Not exactly with sour flavours, unless you use some lemon lol...
Again those toes... fetishes.... and again those famous nails
:D I adore you. You're just that wow indeed.

:) Amazing write my friend. As always, shocking to the bloody bone...
Love it.

E.L.

[SkinlessFrank]

The drive from Quebec City up along the St-Lawrence River to the Gaspe Penisula is a magic cloaked in pastels and aqua. You would be captivated.

I guess I would.... a long dream, to come true before I see the light lol.... but I will notice you when I'm ready ofc.

[Emily B]

oh, wow