~David Duane, Science

Mangia
Eat!
I ain’t hungry.
That’s ok, I’ll make some pasta.
Mangia.
Eat!
Midnight specialties of
Veal Marsala
Pork Modena
Ravioli, tortolini,
Prepared with the finest homemade sauce and meatballs.

Mangia!
The remedy for any ailment,
As prescribed in the
Italian Mother’s Handbook.
A universal cure for heartbreak…
Tensions with siblings…
Tragic sports defeats…
Confusion and stress of daily living…
Simply, whatever is buggin’ ya.

Mangia.
Ah, feel better.

Mangia,
No, not a conspiracy to fatten’ you up.
It’s meaning is more delic’(ious) than mere food or culinary delights.

Mangia…
Snugly tucked sheets.
Shuttles to music lessons or sports practice.
Premium seating to witness your performances, games, and ceremonies.
A well timed hug supplementing words of wisdom.
Just the right amount of mayo on a tuna sandwich.
Taking care of all possible details so your charmed life has no worries.
 
Mangia is simple and pure.
“I love you”.
Leiomeiosarcoma
It rolls of the tongue like some exotic dish
Served up in posh trendy eateries.
A euphemism.
The same way an ugly toothy, foreheaded fish is transformed into Chilean Sea Bass,
Or how cow nuts become Rocky Mountain Oysters.
Cookin’ something unappetizing into something palatable.

Leiomeiosarcoma
Not a dish to be consumed, but a thing that consumes
First the womb, then the lungs, finally the liver.
A passionless scientific description teases and blunts the gut wrenching emotions.
A high grade sarcoma of the soft tissue.
Metastisis of the lungs via the bloodstream.
Highly resistant to chemotherapy protocols.
7 out of one million women afflicted.
Low 5 year survivorship.
That most matter-of-fact description does not mask the cruelty and unfairness.
Incurable terminal cancer.

So ma,
It’s my turn 
To shuttle you…
To doctor appointments,
All important golf rounds,
Painting lessons,
Walks along the beach,
Play with your beautiful grandchildren.

Hey ma,
Now it’s my turn.
I’ll whip up the Midnight buffet of
Veal Marsala,
Pork Modena,
Ravioli or tortolini.
A piping hot pot of any pasta.
How about some lobstah’?

Hey ma,
Mangia!