banquet

three women arrive at the lake.

I’ve laid their picnic blankets out for them,

thick slabs of acrylic brushed

against the sparkling water

they carry woven baskets on their heads,

filled with bruised apples, gnarled salamis,

manchego, couscous and pecans.

my stomach growls

each woman laughs, bosoms heaving,

gums protruding

I throw a rain cloud over them

spitting fat, gouache droplets that will spoil the feast.

they dance, splash, bathe

in the filthy colours and continue

stuffing the meat and cheese into

pockets and crevices

three women eat until they can’t move,

pinned to the collage of the landscape

until I sweep in; audacious, jealous,

and devour them all