American Chordata: Magazine of New Writing Issue One, Spring 2015 | Page 65

Ki e r
Coo k e S a n d v i k

2014

Governments
have rules.
Schools have
rules. Families
have rules.
The rules in my
family are:
If the pocket doors to the living room are closed, it means the
grown-ups are not to be disturbed. If you have an emergency, knock
before you pull apart the pocket doors. An emergency is not baked
potatoes exploding in the oven. An emergency is Marky getting
hit by a car, or the pressure cooker lid flying off.
Two bites are required of every item on your plate. A bite is not
one pea or one carrot. A bite is a forkful or a spoonful.
Never take the food on your plate for granted. Somebody worked
hard to grow the food and somebody worked hard to pay for the
food and somebody worked hard to prepare the food. There is not
an endless supply of food all over this world.
Your napkin ring is not a toy.
If you must go to the lavatory during dinner, quietly excuse
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