It is but a selected story

you have listened to

and chewed on its gristle

till the breath stinks

and the sinew pieces rot

in your teeth. Such

is the abuse that the fork

made of the tale that you cooked

up, that I am surprised

there was any room

for the vegetables;

although I did notice that

there was no room for the rosemary

in your serving of the gravy on top.

Ian D. Hall  2017