Apologies of an Onion
APOLOGIES OF AN ONION
I saw her standing
bent over the kitchen counter
her shoulders slumped
and her body shaking.
Why are you crying? was my question.
Baby, I am sorry I am late.
Don’t cry, baby, please, don’t cry.
What did I do to
upset you?
Was it that time I
broke the washer
and left the clothes inside
and went hangin’ with the fellas?
Was it that time I
forgot our anniversary
and pissed you off?
Whatever I did
Baby, I’m sorry.
No? Still crying?
Well, maybe it was that time I
stayed out late drinkin’
and went to that strip club
instead of running home to you
(Did my boys tell you
all I could do was think of you?)
It could have been that time
with your sister
---it was a mistake---
I mean, she was down and
she came over
(you weren’t here, I was)
well,
you get the picture.
Whatever I did
Baby, please believe that I’m
sorry.
Or maybe it was that time I
blew our grocery money
on a game of poker
and said that I was robbed outside
the market.
Baby, I don’t know
what I’ve done
but whatever it is
I am sorry.
Baby?
Are you listening?
Are you crying because I’ve
Hurt you?
“No, honey” was her answer.
“I am cutting a damned onion!”