Banquet for one
by Silvia A. Brandon-Perez

She carefully pared the carrots for the stew
told him clearly he was naught
but a bit of nonsense
a lackadaisal organic misfeasance
lacking spine or drive
or the wherewithal for life
absent the eversuffering spouse
caring child
or laboring mother
and then she set a place for one
white lace napkin folded on the right
of her best china plate, fork, spoon, knife
of polished sterling, a small delphinium
in an elegant glass vase
to the left of the wineglass
(a dry and good Chablis, well-chilled)
and served him dinner:
a cleaned, well-seasoned plate
with figured artichokes
fresh-baked hot Cuban bread
slathered with virgin olive oil and garlic
(a dash of arsenic in the black bean soup)
and cream cheese flan, his favorite
with mantecado ice cream for dessert.