The doctor whispers—
her own thoughts will harm her.

She inhales the scent
of black bean soup,
decides it must be dangerous.

Before her death,
her chair at the table sat empty
for years.

Now the woman is old,
asking again:

Why can’t I eat today?

Too beautiful to touch the bowl,
she waits for their eyes—
to see how she grew stronger
by refusing hunger and
learning to relove herself