amidst the bustling chatter
and children running around
behind the counter
in a humid kitchen
God is working.

although the food:
white rice and lo mein
cabbage and chicken,
does not come as a surprise,
I could never grow tired of it

through the aunties’ soft smiles,
and nagging to eat more—
with their unnecessarily large spoonfuls
onto my flimsy plate,
there is a certain love that shines:
a love that comes only from God

a heart so full of gratitude
I eat with the understanding
of how loved I am by Him
and those He loves.