Tumble

“So, do you put vinegar in it?”

“No. Only the seasoning,

little by little,

and then you tumble.

You don’t want the rice to get mushy.”

“Wait. How do you tumble?

Because I put in the seasoning,

and then I stab it with the rice paddle,

to mix it.”

She puts her hand on mine,

she looks into my eyes,

and she says,

“Tumble the rice,”

she does a turning

motion with her arm,

imaginary rice paddle in hand,

“Soft.

With patience.

Then,

you will have

the perfect rice ball."