the canned tomato time bomb

reaching high

and deep into the top

shelf of the cupboard

where i haven't

been in decades,

i find a can

of tomato sauce.

i study

the can with a bulge in the tin

rounded

side,

but the label

is smudged.

i look at the dents

and dings.

i can't tell if it's expired

or not.

when i shake

it there's a loud bubbling

sound

as if it might

explode at any second.

i might have

to change my dinner plans

for tonight.