i sat on a couch
besides a little boy
he is preoccupied with a chicken leg

how are you
enjoying the roast i made you?

he stares at his phone
bone at hand
watching a middle aged woman
mix slime

yeah, me too
your mother's salad was excellent
though i didn't take much

he tilted his head
mesmerized by the lady

yes, i know
we all do spend more time
staring at pretty goop
i toiled an hour for mine
when i made your gravy

he is deadpan
with only an uneasy glance
as response

no, don't bother
i don't like it too
when people interrupt me
from my browsing

he glanced at the dinner table
at the people feasting
talking
while the food goes cold

i hate it too
when the lasagna noodles
turn tough
he leans on the cushions

his father answers a call
yes, i'm keeping him at check
go do what you must

the child scoots to the window
to look at his dad
though it rather looks like
he is mesmerized by the mango tree

yes, i know
the fruits look lovely this season

he leans back to his cushions
and stares at the home screen

i know how you feel
to have guests who are good at guesting

to have a father who's present
but not there

to have a meal
that turns cold

i know how it feels

he finishes his thigh bone clean
i'd do the same thing, honestly