The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.

This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.

We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.

Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.

Please follow this link if you'd like to see a few of Carrie Mae Weem's exquisite photographs and this link if you'd like to hear Harjo read her poem.

Missoula Community Free Fridge is a mutual-aid project providing 24/7 food access to all at five locations around town. If you go visit one of the Free Fridges, please consider bringing a food-stuff gift with you. Here's a link to the Free Fridge's guidelines and locations.

If you'd like to submit your work to our community, anthology zine, please send it to me with your pen name through my Contact Form. You can request my address there, if you'd like to send hard copies.

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The Creative Experiment & Treasure Hunt was cooked up by Taylor Stein. If you enjoyed this prompt and would like more creative goodness in your life, please check out Wonder-Gizmos, a Snail Mail Creative Writing Club & Whimsy Machine. Every month, Wonder-Gizmos delivers writing prompts, curated inspiration, and warm absurdity to your mailbox.