Condemned

“Lover, you haven’t touched your meal”
she said quietly
you’re gonna need your strength
if you’re gonna fight for me

she laid it all out on the table
even served it on his favorite plate
it wasn’t something he could digest
it wasn’t something he’d appreciate

say something interesting
she begged silently
say something worth your breath
anything to convince me

but of course he didn’t
because of course he can’t
she used to think it was a good thing
that she could win every argument

this is not a fair fight
and it won't ever be
he didn’t do anything wrong
he just didn’t do anything

so she turns her back
on him and all of it
adds the final touches to dessert
and whispers to herself: “I quit.”