Born in the North

My Californian friend
Sat in the sunlight and said
“Get one of those avocados”

I knew but I did not know
What he meant
And shamefully asked
What was an avocado
And how did you eat it

This is what it means
To be born in the North

My Indian friend
Cooking with me said
“Throw those brown leaves out”

I knew but refused to know
What he intended
I carefully hid the leaves
In the cooking pot
And we both ate them

This is what it means
To be born in the North

My Japanese wife
Took out her parasol and said
“You should get out of the sunlight”

She knew but did not know
What it meant
To innocently ask
A body starved for warmth
To deprive itself of sun

This is what it means
To be born in the North