The slice
of apple
was destined
to be metaphor.
Auditors and lecturer
alike, wallflowered
by the promised
topic, its squid
monstrosity, the
squeamishness of
nailbiters.
A broken slat
rinsed dread
from the hall,
the dull knife
clattering the
lectern and a
sigh went up
to be addressed,
to be addressed.