Alone and Hungry

He butters his toast slowly
arthritic fingers
not subdued these days

such pain but he endures
has to – living alone
without the sharing of tasks
with someone
who once loved him.

Left him for another man
seems ages ago.
The cat nudges his bare
ankle. Hungry too. Must
hurry before she shreds
the curtains
in annoyance.

© Richard L. Provencher