Eating Wiener Schnitzel

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.)

Published by

VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

27 thoughts on “Eating Wiener Schnitzel”

  2. 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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  5. 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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  7. 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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    1. 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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  9. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. 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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