My Father's Last Words

On his death bed

He reached up and grabbed my wrist
Pulling me close so I could hear he said,

“Promise me that you’ll never eat
Any of that Japanese food. Promise.”

It may sound racist and perhaps it is
but keep in mind my father spent all
Of World War Two fighting in the Pacific
Mainly, the Island of Saipan.

I myself admire the Japanese, but
As they themselves would well appreciate,
I must honor my father’s last wish.

The irony is I’ve never liked Japanese food.

The irony is that
At his funeral,
The Priest that said
Mass was Japanese.

--Jim Carroll

The Devil & The Stars