He kicked the cat
out the window
Carved her goldfish
up like sushi
Dinner wasn’t ready on time

He wanted it now
And I do mean NOW !

Ordered her up
pink as rare beef—
one tender homemaker
simmered in silence
Swallowed her whole
one day at a time

The day he beat her
beyond definition
she navigated commands
in her state-of-the-art kitchen
in her gingham apron
her cellophane smile

She had binge-cleaned 
                 and purged
the entire apartment–
worshipping at the altar
in bulimic procession

Dinner wasn’t ready on time

He said he was sorry
They all say they’re sorry

once dinner gets cold
in its grave