Matthew Weisser
Matthew Weisser is a high school mathematics teacher in Union County, NJ. When he’s not teaching multivariable calculus, he is putting all remaining time into creative arts. Playing multiple instruments in multiple bands, performing standup comedy, reciting his poetry – no matter what, his favorite place to be is on stage. He has been a regular reader at our Platform Open Mic Nights since March 2023. He wrote this piece as a response to a prompt from that night’s host.
Just Squeeze (Poem)
Just squeeze
It’s that simple
That’s the entire recipe
Grandpa would get up way before I did
Afterall I stayed up pretty late for a 9 year-old
He’d leave the apartment he’s lived in with my grandma since 1961
He’d walk 17 Brooklyn blocks to Circus Fruits
The one off of Fort Hamilton Parkway
Pick up a few oranges – didn’t really care how big or how orange their orangeness was
Pay in cash – of course – it’s all he had and all they accepted
Tell the cashier the same terrible joke he’s told for years
I wish I remembered it but there were just too many terrible jokes
17 blocks in the other direction – this time – citrus-laden
Back up the front steps – and by now I was awake
Still in my pajamas but awake
My parents – still in love – had gone out to celebrate Y2K and left me with my grandparents
Before they got back it would be breakfast
Grandma scrambled eggs with extra cheese even though she never has cheese in hers
This would become a permanent memory
But how could I know
This was pretty inconsequential at the time for a 9 year-old
Just another Saturday
Just some eggs
Just a sleepover at grandma and grandpas
Had I knew to I would’ve asked for the recipe
And grandpa would have said
Just squeeze
It’s that simple
That’s the entire recipe