after a poem by Michael Dennis

she answered all his questions with food
he asked her how her day had been
and she served roast vegetable soup
the kitchen breathing 
its aroma into the house

he asked her for a kiss
and she served falafel and brown rice
drizzled with sesame butter
smacking garlic then lemon

he asked her for a night
and she served honeyed popcorn
with sweet that wouldn’t let you quit

in the morning
her story was written down
between soft covers on the night stand
her kisses were dust sparks in a new sun beam

she was nowhere to be seen

he found her shadow in the kitchen
the oven still warm
and getting warmer

© Rob Thomas