With menudo the secret
was in the red sauce.
A clandestine recipe
passed down by abuelas.
My mother sent me
los sabados
before 11am
to Ramonas.
The menudo was fresh
and it sold by noon.
Around the corner I walked
crisp air and gym shoes.
I ordered a pint of menudo
with hot corn tortillas
wrapped in foil.
The cook stopped as I ordered
looked around
and disappeared
through the double doors.
The soup in a big pot
he scooped and scooped.
They knew what I wanted
It smelled good as I handed
it to my mother
she shared a little but I always
wanted more.