The first time I ordered salad as a meal
was in DC.
I was eating with a vegetarian
so I figured, “When in Rome.”

It was at a poetry open mic,
and my vegetarian friend didn’t opt
to jump on the stage
so full reciprocity wasn’t to be had
but the salad was good.
It wasn’t an experience to be much repeated.

The second time
I ordered salad as a meal
I was eating at a salad place
so my choices were limited
but I was able to to get meat on it
so the vegan who I was trying to impress was,
to put it cooly, not.

Someday, I hope to tell you
about the third salad
I ever ordered as a meal.

Operators, stand by.