Love Affair

The woman at the counter 
has given up 
on marriage
motherhood
yoga classes
Sunday picnics.
She's done dreaming 
of European vacations.
She's tired.
She wants her money back.

Prosthetic heart
Prosthetic mind
She gave her finest years 
to the cause.
Attended schools and churches  
baked cupcakes
clipped coupons
—a love affair duller 
than your favorite sitcom. 
And yes, her lawn was once quite green.

Now she frets 
over interest rates
cholesterol
the shooter at the mall.
What's the point of looking back?
Giver her the body count.
Flash their smiling faces
across the screen.

The woman slides a bowl 
of French onion soup
across the counter  
and issues a dire warning: 
"Careful, honey. It's hot!"