the vegan restaurant

for her birthday

she

wanted everyone to go to the vegan

restaurant

in Vienna, because

she was special

and everyone wanted

so hard to please

her,

an impossible task

to begin with.

but we did it, 

or else faced

the consequences

of silence

and brooding.

it was a well known gathering

spot

for anorexics

and tree huggers.

there was

no meat.

just pretend meat.

fake meat

made out of some bizarre

soy

concoction.

a veritable plate, or bowl

of rancid

vegetables,

straw and twigs,

indigestible

kale

and spinach, leeks.

after a visit or two there,

and being sick

for days,

i took things into my

own hands

and stopped

for burgers along the way,

grilled

beef.

cow meat.

short ribs and steaks.