early bird

what's for dinner, I ask
her,
feeling the need
for food,
stomach fluttering,
feeling faint,
taking a cold cloth
to my head.
i'm starving, I tell her.
I haven't eaten in over
three hours.
she sends me a picture
of a roasted chicken, potatoes
too with a pad of butter
melting on top.
beans and bread, chocolate
cake for desert.
oh my, I tell her,
oh my, can I come early?