how to make a salad

cut the green onion, slice with the wrong knife
push the same knife through the wrinkled red tomato
wade through the juice of the overripe tomato
feel the large fist squeezing like a vise around your spine
push the cat away from your feet

press your lips together, swallow
the sob making its traitorous way;
it fills the tight hollow of your cheeks.
your teeth ache.

shoo the cat again, who abandons you
to chase a hobbled cricket.

the wilted arugula goes in the bowl.
wince at small sounds, argue with the defeating drum of doubt
marching up and down your back.
your heart swells. leaks.

smaller bones are disintegrating. like mica. into dust.

add the tomatoes, the green onion,
last night's roasted chicken. shake the dregs of your
fat free balsalmic vinegar dressing on the mix.

sit with your bowl and consider:
here is what I made today. swallow it into emptiness.
fill yourself up.