I was not the kid who licked the knife

I was not the kid who licked the knife.

That’s not polite, my mother said.

When I lined up peas on the knife and

tilted it into my mouth, she did not laugh.

When I felt mushy-crisp pellets plop onto my tongue,

I laughed though. But then I obeyed.

And obeyed and obeyed and obeyed until

I got old. One day a dinner guest (gasp!)

licked her knife clean of chicken bits

and mashed potatoes.

Then she smacked her lips!

No embarrassment whatsoever.

I was embarrassed for her though.

Didn’t she know that’s not polite?

She came for dinner more often. Every time,

she licked her knife. I got to wishing I could

lick last buttery bits from

my knife, too. Why not? Not polite?

What isn’t polite is to

waste a chance for childlike play …

and peanut butter

just because it’s on your knife.

                                       ~ ju