Salute in Citta

612 Stewart Street
March 2, 1996

I'm one of those vegetarians
who didn't ask questions about what I was served
growing up in a meat and spaghetti household.

When I ask the hostess
if scallops are onions
she responds she doesn't know
because she's the same type of vegetarian.

Once I'm served the Capellini con Scallops
I eat the scallops slowly like an experiment.
I hope they're not contaminated.
I wonder if I'll get sick since it's been 5 years
since I last ate fish.

Before I wallow in my accidental degradation of the sea,
the hostess switches my dinner
to Cheese Stuffed Ravioli with Gorgonola Cheese.