the break up meal

do you have any special dietary needs
the waiter asks me
as i loosen my belt
and shimmy into the booth.
he hands me the laminated
menu that blocks
all light.
only that my red meat is medium
rare, I tell him.
and that nothing resembling
carob or liver
touch my plate.
got it, he says. will that be
a twelve ounce steak,
or twenty.
let's start with twenty and work
our way down.
an extra saucer of mushroom
gravy would be greatly
appreciated too, and bring
the dessert menu, if you
will. I like to think about that
as i'm eating.
will the mrs. be joining you
tonight? no, we're no longer
together, but I'm getting over
it slowly and painfully,
one meal at a time.