He craves Wiener Schnitzel
and egg rolls –
complicated request –
they settle on
Austrian, forgo
the Chinese.
Noise of the place
disconcerts her –
rather be home
or somewhere quieter
(though she’d never say),
insecurity slides in
as resentment
pulls up a chair –
How is she dining here
with indifference?
Restaurants take her back
when the heat of the kitchen
consumed her –
yelled orders,
yelled at,
rush to cater
tip or no tip
A real education,
her Father said,
but sore feet and
a broken back
left her none the wiser
Stuffiness of ochre walls,
brocade upholstery
close in, reminder
of former lovers,
She doesn’t even like milk-fed calf
Mind wanders to other walls,
now crumbled, remnants
of dreams, boundaries
set when pup- like
loyalty won hearts,
shattered her own.
So many failures
she is ashamed
feels like a stray
living off scraps
It’s a rocky path
she travels these days
solid ground a forgotten
concept, teetering
on brink of flight
no legs to carry her
Resigns herself
to Wiener Schnitzel
convinced that compromise
matters more than
personal fulfillment –
Takes a bite of baby cow and smiles.
(Eating Wiener Schnitzel first appeared here November 2016. This edition is edited. Image from personal collection.)
Oh my. This is such a well crafted path to the struggle with compromise…or not. While the triggers pile up. I love the line “resentment pulls up a chair.” (I’d be curious to read the original version)
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Thanks Deborah. I did link to the original, I think, lol.
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You’re welcome. I just realized I missed that you linked to it. I will check it out! (I’m not Deborah btw)
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Hahaha – senior brain fart. I knew that, duh.
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Happens to us all 🙂
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Effective portrayal of variance between inner Self and outer Self … seldom do they completely align (in my own experience!) … seldom is either delivering “right” vs “wrong” impulses …
It’s a wonder we don’t all go crazy.
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Haha – who’s saying we’re not crazy.
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So why Wiener schnitzel? Risking food indulgence seems like the last thing she needs.
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Exactly what my husband asked, lol. The inspiration for the poem came from a dream. It is not something I would normally eat, but have on occasion – usually on a date. It represents the compromises we make to please another.
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made me think of a fatted calf scenario, celebrate the return of the prodigal son, the daughter/woman always taking second place; I can almost feel the shrugging shoulders towards the end of the poem
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Oh, I like this take – never thought about that, but it fits. Thanks.
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My pleasure!
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This was superb! The conflict soo well portrayed. I love the last lines.
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Thank you so much!
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Oh I loved this! Yes indeed compromise can be a struggle. Dining on Wiener schnitzel doesn’t seem that hard although I’d probably ask for a salad! Does that still count as a compromise? 🙂
I loved the line “ resentment pulled up a chair”. It’s so easy for that t9 happen.
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Thanks Christine. Resentment is never a good table mate, but it happens when we don’t assert our own wants – a lesson I struggle with.
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Story of my life! I’ve started to speak up and ask for what I want and feel like I’m being a bitch 😕
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Exactly! What is that? Kudos to us for recognizing it and making a change.
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👍❤️ yes! ☺️
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A devastating description of loss of identity, loss of self, loss of youth, loss of hope . . .
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Thank you Liz. I appreciate that you get the context.
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Your poem conveys those losses very clearly, right to the heart.
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I would be content to eat Wiener Schnitzel. I was station in Germany from 1976-1980. I dream of the wonderful German food. In life we struggle. Easy to fall down. I felt the struggle in your words.
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Thank you! Appreciate your comment, John.
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The things we do we’d rather not do but for peace. Although I find the choice lingers long after surrender.
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Yes, that darn resentment keeps inviting itself, lol. Thanks
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Most welcome VJ 🙂
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