The Macaroni Battle

While the water comes to a boil, the soldiers sit patiently in a measuring cup. The call comes in and the seven minute march toward al dente begins. The clash ignites immediately, turning even the strongest into soggy limp noodles. Casualties fall along the way...out onto the kitchen floor. But the battle roars on. A warning beep sounds. The final countdown beings. All involved wait in anticipation for the final beep...that ear-piercing war-ending beep. Seconds remain. BEEP.... BEEEEEEEEP.. The battle ends.

The next day, while sweeping my dirt pile into a dust pan, I lay my eyes on the fallen soldiers. The battle can't always stay in the pot. I pause to remember those lost in the great Macaroni Battle. I weep. Then I sweep. I sweep the remainder of my pile onto the dust pan and deposit its contents into the garbage pail. As I reach for the light switch, my mind drifts off to thoughts of future battles. The room goes black and I head to bed.