say when

as a kid,

the first time

you see the giant wooden

pepper

shaker

at a fancy restaurant,

you think, wow,

what value

there must be in pepper.

it takes

a special visit

by the waiter

to crunch it upon your

plate.

asking you to say when

as he

holds the enormous

shaker with his hands,

leaning it against

his shoulder.

it's an odd thing.

when you get home

you stare

at your mother's salt

and pepper

shakers

on the kitchen table

next to the toaster

and bottle

of ketchup.

they are

shiny porcelain things,

shaped like small dogs.

you wonder

what the difference is.