Venetian Plaster Fools You

Decades to Build, Moments to Destroy, A Single Love to Restore

Hairline fractures,
and slips of the tongue,
at the time, I was
sure my reputation
was lost for good.

But halfway through
the black olive casserole
and the kale and spinach soup,
you reminded me
that there is much more
gray than the clear cuts
of black and white.

I always thought it
was impossible, but
then again, I watched
you do it–balancing
a spoon on your nose–
and restore my reputation.

~Hammeh