Food for Thought

By Caroline Layne

The train will arrive soon.

We gather all the illegal materials for the collection. “Not this one, please,” Maria pleads, holding up a children’s ABC book.

“I’m sorry, but we need it.” I count all the books, twelve. We place them into the bag.

The train arrives; the boxcar door slides open. A collector counts our pile. He places twelve rations in my hand. “Thank you for your contribution.” He stamps our passport, once used for travel, escape.

“Why that book?” Maria asks.

“We have to eat. Who reads anymore anyway? Knowledge or food, is there really a choice at all?”