surprised

the roasted chicken,
half cut
surprises you in the morning
when you see it through
the little window,
still in the oven,
one leg in the air.
all night resting in the shallow
pain.
it smells good,
but you suspect it's gone
bad. you are always
surprised when things
go bad,
sour milk, bread
tinged in green,
the lettuce, browned
and limp. us.