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Pablo Garcia Casado
—translated from the Spanish by Chris Michalski, performed by The CS Field Trio

DINNER

They stuff their mouths with food when they talk about
the house. When they talk about money and what it
takes to earn it. She walks through the rooms like a
queen. Points out the tablecloths, the plates, the
fabric on the kitchen furniture. He offers us a beer,
the moisture on the glass is the sweat of his brow.
Get down on your knees and put your head there, he’ll
say much later. But for now they thank God that they
are what they are, that they have what they have.
Fresh pasta, soft cheese, a discreet Spanish wine that
we drink with delight.

–from Rattle #25, Summer 2006