My father showed me.
How to eat a
Watermelon
In the new country.
The first step was a cut
Clean down the middle.
Then a spoonful of excitement
Of a rare, tasty treat.
Then we carved out the inside
Piece by piece.
Until its shell remained
For dinner
Where it was boiled and cut
Diced to feed
Three once more.
The first bite was thoroughly
Bland and bitter.
A taste that left me longing
For the day that would come
When he brings home a
Watermelon
We eat only once.
Peter Chengming Zhang is a Chinese Canadian hospital pharmacist, technology professional, and writer. His works have appeared in national news outlets in Canada such as the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, and the National Post. Outside of his academic and professional interests, he enjoys writing poetry and short memoirs. Follow his works on his website: peterczhang.com