Daily more and enough, banking- on the colour of words, small poem deposits, the history of capitalism in the enchanting voice of madrigals, tenor and bass singing the high notes bringing even more music to tumultuous allegories, constructing tales of balance with no minimum. There are many illuminators in the story. Are there two sources and many mazes, and all the gifts that are simply that, gifts? Is there room for the echoes of empiricism. The sound of exaltation is now. Start from Zero. Inhale.

Appetizers

They both entered the restaurant, neither of them “starving". Cassandra wore a bright violet silk scarf; Constantin wore a very soft blue cotton shirt. They were both well fed. Healthy.

Cassandra ordered from the menu and Constantin poured out the wine.Constantin said “I’m so hungry “Cassandra smiled. They made a toast and talked about things that made Cassandra sad, Constantin said " "Chaa-lo"-come on, are you going to be like this all through dinner, do you want me to leave you here alone…why so somber? " She drank some wine and her lips softened. He blew her air kisses that kept getting lost in the air and said "that's better", they were serious for as long as it took to forget the storm outside. The appetizers arrived and they both stopped to comment on the fragrant food set before them. And then a little boy wandered in from the street, he was wearing his tattered traditional khamis -sarwal. He was dirty, smudged with street living. He was shivering, covered in rain and completely under dressed for the season of cold air.

He walked over to the table where Constantin and Cassandra cast their eyes down. Cassandra said "sit with us little boy" in a whisper. Constantin said "Are you hungry?" the little boy nodded his head. Constantin said “Do you want an appetizer?” the little boy replied "what's an appetizer?”  Constantin passed the plate forward “an appetizer is the food we eat before our food arrives" The little boys eyes opened wide and he took an eggplant fritter, his wrists and arms shaking. They ate many appetizers; fritters, breads with sweet and spicy sauces, breads with savory ground meat. The little boy did not say much as he chewed on his food.

Constantin said "what do you want for your main course?"  The little boy said "what is a main course?" Constantin pulled out the menu and pointed "the main course is what we eat after we've had some food to start" the little boy looked very confused. The main courses were passed around, "shared" so everyone could taste all the different food that could be had after you had food to start and Constantin asked for more bread. The little boy took one piece of warm bread and folded it neatly and gently into his ripped pants pocket. Cassandra put her fork down her; she turned her head to look out the window. The waiter came and cleared away the dishes. The little boy looked very sad.

Constantin touched the little boys head "what do you want for dessert?" the little boy said "what is dessert?" Constantin paused “well, after we have the food to start before our other food arrives, to finish we have some food after" the little boy looked astonished,  little tears rolled down his cheeks, leaving dusty grey tracks on his cheeks. Dessert arrived and the little boy licked the creamy mango ice cream clean from the bowl. Cassandra gave him hers and Constantin said "do you want some more?" The little boy took a deep breath " I had appetizers, a main course, and dessert, I was full at the appetizers, more full then I have ever been in my life or will ever be again to be sure, so no Mr. I don't want more. I don't want to dream of menus and mango ice cream. I want to die right now to know that this was enough."

Constantin started to cry, Cassandra wrapped her violet shawl around her neck and they held hands as they walked from the restaurant. There was no little boy wandering around their table, there was only being full, and wanting more, and knowing that having everything may never be enough.

S. Hennigan

2008