[apple pie] for dessert

when your after dinner voices bleed through thin walls 

i press my ear against the door and listen and

wonder what conversations you’re having for dessert

i pick apart your words with the prongs of my fork

smear apple pie filling across my plate

but you always told me not to play with my food

there is a moment where i consider taking a bite

to chew on dialogue and push words around with my tongue

but chit-chat is not so sweet

so instead i rest my fork on the ledge of my plate

push it away

and tell you i’m full

By Julz Dreyer