Canadian bacon

when she got back

from Canada, she came over

with a gift

wrapped in a bow tied box.

but she wanted to talk

first.

she wanted to tell she was

breaking up with me.

seems she met

a Canadian Mountie

while horseback riding

in the mountains.

what's his name, i asked

Zeke, she said.

you'd love him.

he's a lot like you, but

you know how

i love a man in uniform.

he has a beard too.

oh well, i said, as i rubbed

my smooth shaven cheeks.

i'm gonna miss you.

what's in the box?

open it, she said.

so i did. it was a fancy

bottle of maple syrup.

so i made us some pancakes,

and tossed a few slices of

Canadian bacon

into the pan.

it was a fond farewell.