2/17/2003

Penelope
sat down
at a table
across town
where
they were serving
a dish
she found
not to her liking
but
because
she had been taught
to eat what was
put on her plate
she
dutifully swallowed
every mouthful
even though
it didn’t seem right
to eat
the strange stuff
ordered
by someone else
and
set before her
without her consent
which is why
she decided
touching her lips
with her napkin
that
enough is enough
and
if this
ever happens again
she will
excuse herself
refusing
politely
the feast
someone prepared
but not
to her taste.