his wife's soup and sandwich

for years

on the job, he brought

to work a sandwich

and the soup

that his wife

made for him

the night before.

she kissed him at the door

and waved

as he went off, traveling

down route 50

from Front Royal.

and then one

day,

he forgot it.

forgot the bag

with his name on it.

he left the thermos at home

on the counter.

he looked pained

and distressed,

but we found

a deli nearby

to get him his tomato

soup,

and egg salad sandwich.

he never

forgot his lunch again,

for it just wasn't the same.