the long night in Baltimore

i got lost going

to Baltimore,

for our third date.

she lived somewhere near

Fells Point,

but i missed the exit,

i took a wrong turn

and couldn't find 

the street she lived on.

i was late.

when  i finally found her house,

a row house

in the hood, where the front

looked like the back,

my dinner, a six dollar

orange slab of salmon 

was still on the table,

curled at the ends like

fish does when it goes bad.

the string beans were cold.

the bread stale

and she was at the end of

a bottle of Chardonay

and watching

the Jersey Housewives,

with the sound way up.

two old cats were in her lap.

she was mad.

she pointed at the table,

and said, go ahead and eat.

i slaved all day in the kitchen

for you, and you're late.

two hours late.

we're not having sex tonight

either, she said.

so don't even go there.

i made Jello too.

it's in the fridge, help yourself.

cool whip is in

the ice box, although you

don't deserve it.