SATISFIED

BY EMMA BOCEVSKI

Today we eat oysters

While we sit in the sun.

Your book is not good,

Though everyone else likes it.

Pity

We say,

Not everyone has good taste.

Oysters are funny

You never used to like them

Still don’t

We laugh.

Let’s order fries

And garlic bread

And the rigatoni too

Not the pappardelle?

Obviously as well as,

What do you take me for?

Another martini,

Really

I don’t know how you can stomach the taste

I just like the olives.

Did you hear Max is engaged?

Good for him

We cheer

And talk through mouthfuls

Another bottle of water for the table

Please

Remind me to order dessert for home.

Do you think pomegranate would go well with chicken?

No, do fish

Instead

I’m making dinner tomorrow night.

Pair it with lime too,

A bit of zest

Have a bite—

Did you see their special?

A slice

Should we get another drink?

—A piece,

Of everything that tastes good.

A melody,

Rings

Scraping against

Glasses full of wine

Glistening in the sun.

Silver cutlery meeting plates

Full,

Of ripe tomatoes

And basil so fresh

It makes our eyes water.

Chatter of weekends and plans and food

To eat

To make

To marvel at,

Over and

Over

We catch up,

And we eat and drink and sit in the sun.