Domestic Differences

by John Zedolik

My wife cuts red peppers differently than I do,

            slicing the sides perpendicular to the stub of the stem,

            thus leaving its cavern of seeds and fruit-flesh formations

            exposed to profile and at nearly a right angle

            to my previous cut, parallel to that stub of stem, starting

            from the bottom, cutting rings to the verge of the tough

            green top, revealing only guarded glimpses of the interior,

            a consistency of method and a mirrored consumption,

            so to correct her distinct demolition, I only continue to

            carve as I have done, though the red rings have now

            become arcs. Accommodation, though, tastes the same,

            so I expect the cross and continue the crisp compromise.