As It Once Was

The table was set
and they sat.
Staring. Just staring.
At each other.
At their food.
Neither spoke.
Neither ate.
It was a steak dinner,
with mashed potatoes and beef gravy,
vegetables and bread.
Wine was the drink, but
she always hated wine.
So she had water instead.
He picked up his
fork and knife and held
them in his burly hands,
just like he had once held
her.
She didn't blink.
"Saw saw saw"
he cut his steak and
opened his mouth,
preparing for a bite.
She didn't flinch.
He raised his fork
to his mouth and
slowly--slowly--with his tongue,
guided the meat off of
his fork.
Her best silverware--her best fork--
was now between the soft lips of
her once-lover.
He chewed and chewed and
chewed some more.
She couldn't stand it any longer.
Her heart was racing,
her hands were balmy,
her mouth was dry.
Just as he swallowed,
she lifted her glass, took a sip,
then said,
"The water's stale."