Looking at a man selling tomatoes
my intellect begins to play a game—
are there enough in the fridge?
If there are too many & I buy,
Maria will get mad at me.
If there are none & I don’t buy,
Maria will still get mad at me.
If I call her, I’m not making
a simple decision & if I don’t
I’m neglecting her opinion.
I ponder a bit and buy three.
If the final quantity is less
than her expectations, I will slice
& mince a little salad which Maria
likes. If it exceeds her need, she’ll cook
my favourite sev-tomato sabzi & if the
count is just right, we will make
the soup that Maria & I love.
