While she's pouring the red wine
I am cutting the onions.
Some hot olive oil and a hot pan
and there's your sweet smell.

She hands me my wine glass
And I take a big sip.
1995 Elderton Shiraz.
What a wine!
Un-******-believable!

I drop some veal into the pan.
And some finely chopped garlic.
And some thyme.
I turn the meat over.
A few drops of white wine
And I tilt the pan.
The meat catches fire.
So does my sleeve.

She's screaming
From the top of her lungs.
I'm raising my hand
To calm her down.
But instead
I'm watching the flames
Turn my arm into a
Charred
And smoky
Mess.

A few days later
I am back home.
She's gone.
Thank god.

As I enter the kitchen
I see the pan.
It's still there.

Too bad my arm is wrapped
In Bandage.
I would love to cook me a steak.

Charred.
And Smoky.

The way it's supposed to be.