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Sunday, August 9, 2020

CAN OF CAT FOOD AND A TOMATO



It's late at night. 
A woman stops into 
the grocery--deserted 
save for her and the cashier--
and plops down a can
of cat food and a tomato.

The cashier says 
is that all there is--
and as the woman
bundles against the night
on the way back
to her car, that line
from the Peggy Lee song
starts playing in her head.
And in a way she's glad
that it's been reduced to this.

With The Sonofabitch long gone,
and all the kids grown and 
moved on as well,
it's just the pain
(but it's a good one)
of sharp claws digging
into your skin
at 5 o'clock in the morning--
a wakeup call more reliable
that Sonny and Cher
wailing "I Got You Babe."

And that's a hurt that,
unlike most of the others 
that came and went
over the long and the short of it
doesn't leave any hidden scars. 


 





16 comments:

  1. I think most people have a history sometimes involving a breakup. We live with it but don't stress over it any more

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    Replies
    1. We take the blows and move on if we are lucky.

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  2. Thoroughly enjoyed this, esp the two musical references. It's Groundhog Day here, every day, like it or not.

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  3. The essentials ... I remember, as an impoverished student, existing on lettuce and mincemeat, the mincemeat shared with my cat.

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  4. At least add some mozzarella to that tomato. For some strange reason Mellencamp's Hurt so Good popped in my head.

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  5. great insight...a car a cat and a tomato...she
    s doing well

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! She's got the essentials and doing all right.

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  6. nice poem, now need to listen to the songs that it mentions to feel its vibes more. hehe.

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  7. The narrative of vextation and underlying music is a stunning mix
    Happy Sunday

    Much💝love

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  8. Methinks she needs to find a new song!

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