i took a wrong turn in Baltimore

i was late

driving to Baltimore

for the third date.

i took

a wrong turn,

and ended up in a neighborhood

where 

Omar

from the Wire used

to live.

it was before

cell phones.

so i couldn't call and tell

her i was lost.

i pulled over

and took out the Atlas Map

and turned

on the dome light

while a group of young

men in hoodies

were trying to pry open

my trunk with a

screwdriver.

quickly i sped away.

an hour later,

i was there, at last.

she wasn't happy though.

i saw

the dried-out piece of farm

raised salmon

on my plate,

a bowl of limp arugula,

and the bottle of wine

now empty.

it was a one and done

final date.