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the knot


by Dietrich. Kalteis



It’s the kind of throwback place
with checked plastic tablecloths
little jukeboxes at each table

the thick air of bacon fat
makes me hungry

the waitress with her order pad
flashes by with a smile
I tell her I am waiting
and order coffee

the clock hands tick
then the door opens
and my wife comes in
the air around her heavy
she sits
and spills her mind

I reach for a hand
that she pulls away
it is over
only anger and confusion
only sobs and tears
only choking on thoughts
remain

she will take the furniture
the dog
the wedding gifts
the plants
the books
I will take it on the chin

she leaves me
with thoughts of laundromats
and cold pizza
and take-out menus

the waitress comes
and refills my coffee



Dietrich Kalteis is a writer living in West Vancouver, Canada. Twenty-five of his short stories were published this past year in Down in the dirt, Oddville Press, Poor Mojo’s Almanac, Foundling Review, Tryst, Diddledog, Verdad, the Short Humour Site UK Anthology, the Clockwise Cat, Cantaraville, the Cynic, Defenestration, Dew on the Kudzu, Shoots and Vines, the Green Silk Journal, Joyful!, the Legendary, This zine will change your Life and One Cool Word. His screenplay “Milkin’ Dillard” was optioned by Bella Fe Films, Los Angeles, and his screenplay 'Between Jobs' is a past finalist in the Screenplay Contest. He is also the author of the upcoming short story collection Big Fat Love published by Cantarabooks.

Copyright 2011, Dietrich Kalteis. © This work is protected under the U.S. copyright laws. It may not be reproduced, reprinted, reused, or altered without the expressed written permission of the author.