New Sharon Olds
by Sarah Hanks
The fish melted on my tongue
Like butter in a hot saucepan
I smiled, relishing the taste
‘MMMH’ I groaned in delight
A warmth spread through my body,
Just like how it spread when I got
A notification for your texts on my phone
Excitement at what you’d written flowed in me,
like anticipation for the next bite
How could this be so good?
How could I love you so much?
Disbelieving my own capacity to love one thing
That was the best meal I’d ever had
And you were the best person I’d ever had
But things tend to age poorly,
Just like how now the thought of you, and of eating fish,
Makes me scrunch up my nose in disgust
I guess I did love this dish once,
just like I loved you.
But times and interests change
And things I once adored,
Mean so little to me now