there’s a growing collection of residue
in the hole of the chopping board handle
from ingredients you've already cut through
of those things that you cannot untangle
given moments they would love so to be
as the garlic skin stuck to your thumb
would be plastered by oils you can't see
and have chance and again to rerun
they’ve grown old in the time they have been there
are not welcome anymore in the stew
they have nothing left now for the fare
and yet still they remain in your view
and
but
well
you'd have to stop
lift the whole thing up
reach back there
delay the meal
touch it
and why is there a hole in the chopping board anyway
it doesn't need a handle - does it?
does it?
other things said
does it?
the boy baulks
not allowed to stay outside
sick in a dream