this fish stinks

you know when the relationship
is over.
you can smell it.

it's not unlike
when fish goes bad.

it stinks.
you cringe when you unwrap
the paper.
and hold it to your nose.

you know it
when she comes home
through the door.

just hearing the car pull up
and the brake

engaged is enough to make
you sprint for the back

door.
no matter how much you season
that rotted fish,

no matter how you cook it,
fry,
or roast, boil or
steam, not matter what you
do to that
slab of seafood,

it's over. that fish stinks
and it's time

to think of other options for
dinner, not to mention
a few other

things.