A Lone Diner at the Snout to Tail Bistro

She sent back the last order, as well.
This time, she shook her head 
like a dog in the rain,
like a posh-frock woman 
having "a spell."
The brimming broth, she said,
had a bitterness that swelled 
and stung between her cheeks,
and across her tongue.
It steamed with the scent
of turmeric and sweat,
a lipstick kiss in the basement
of the Red Grotto Used Bookstore,
of a Dominican girl, half her age,
in skin jeans and red sneakers, 
pulling her by the hand 
during Summer City Lit Festival
last year.
She claimed she craved the
steaming heat of our menu's
Andean soup,
but bones like razors waited 
when she raised the brim 
of the bowl to her lips.
Just like the wine she sent back,
she said that the broth bit her lip
with a vicious grin 
when she closed her eyes,
opened wide,
leaned in,
and tried to love it
with the whole of her mouth.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace