Donna Spruijt-Metz
Donna Spruijt-Metz’s poems appear or are forthcoming in The Academy of American Poets, American Poetry Review, Whale Road Review, and elsewhere. Her books include General Release from the Beginning of the World and three collections forthcoming in 2025: To Phrase a Prayer for Peace, Wu Wei Eats an Egg (Lucas Hirsch in translation) and And Scuttle My Balloon (with Flower Conroy).
Young Widow at the Kitchen Window
—one plate in the sink
after breakfast—one coffee mug—
Once over-full, my shopping cart
now near empty—these days
I find myself outside
of my body—watching
and narrating: “the young widow
crosses the living room.”
But I am not young—only
new.
Every morning, I asked you
‘Want an egg?” and you would say
“Sure”—or “No”—
but that last morning you said
“Why not?”
so there were two plates
in the sink when the EMT came
[and said the words: “We can’t help him.”]
and the police after them
[to ascertain that I hadn’t murdered you]
and the mortuary after them
[but they couldn’t lift you—they had to call
for help]
and the rabbi was there and we chanted
the Shema but you never had a chance
to say the Vidui—I think I know
this poem is about one
plate in the sink—but the rest—
what shall I do with the rest?
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Image by Wallace Chuck from Pexels
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