Dinner Thoughts Poem by Kristina Louisa Carr

In the kitchen all the pots and pans
are steaming The roast is in the oven there is
no time for dreaming Fresh vegetables are
cleaned and potatoes peeled Salad is
prepared with onions straight from the field

The table is set with white dishes and
beautiful glass Every place setting is styled
with sophisticated class The wine is chilled
and desserts promise to be sweet Everything
is perfect with lots of excess but discreet

One of the seats is occupied by a man
with long hair His clothing is old and torn and
in dire need of repair The woman on the bench
silently weeps over the food Because she is
happy that she is no subject to extrude

Two little boys with smudges of dirt
on their faces With mom and dad they have
lived in many places The old lady from down
the street offers a grin While I turn on
some music to let the feast begin

Well - that is what could be but instead
I eat alone I am wondering why because
I have room in my home Life could be more
fulfilling if I would take a stand But I
continue to hide when I should extend a hand