Green Beans

Green Beans The joy comes not from planting but from having the sense to buy five cans for a dollar this week, four cans for a dollar last week and the week before that. Water, low salt, no fat, a delicacy when cold and covered in vinegar with tarragon. The cupboard is nearly filled with them. The man has known what it is to have cigarettes lined up on the dresser, Cheerios in ginger ale, soup of diluted tomato paste. The tarragon makes all the difference in the late night news. I know Fm being good to myself despite the fires, the bats breaking windows, the starlight full of sirens and the rumble of top secret hypersonic aircraft east from Los Angeles. The halfbright moon and a light stream of traffic. 49 The taste ofmalt and spice oil in the vinegar with a dash of pepper a sprinkle of salt a hint ofgarlic. Ray Ronci University ofNebraska-Lincoln 50 ...