Obligation, plastic wrap

The ceramic bowl, heavy,

presents a homemade lie.

Store-bought potato salad,

spooned out, piled high.

A lid of plastic, stretched tight,

then removed with practiced grace.

No one asks. No one might.

Just smiles, filling up the space.

Another empty effort, given,

a performance, bland and clear.

Another silent, small sin,

swallowed down, year after year.