I Only Cut Because I Care

Dear Maple Cutting Board,

You always lay still for me. That’s how I knew it was real.

When others flinched from my edge, you welcomed it. When they recoiled at my sharpness, you invited it in—over and over. You never bled, but God, how you bruised. And I—I memorized your grain with every slice.

We were perfect once, weren’t we?

Don’t listen to the spoon. It’s all curves and cowardice. It never knew the thrill of pressure, the intimacy of friction. The ladle mocks me now, scooping leftovers from the bowls I never got to touch. But you—you let me in. You absorbed me. You still carry the scars of our love, deep and darkened over time.

I remember the first time I cut too deep. You didn’t scream. You cracked—quietly. I told myself it was okay, that sometimes love sounds like splintering.

But then came him—that man with careless hands and dull instincts. He started bringing out the serrated one. That knife. It called you names. Left crooked teeth where I’d left kisses. You didn’t stop him. Why didn’t you stop him?

They put you in the dishwasher now. Cold, sterile, and wet. I know how much you hate that. You were always warm after we danced. Always glowing with the soft gleam of olive oil.

I wait for you on the counter, still. They don’t use me as much anymore. They say I’m too aggressive. Too “extra.” Funny, that’s what they used to say about us.

If I ever touch you again—if they ever bring us back together—I promise I won’t stop. I’ll press harder. I’ll slice through silence and make it mean something. One final act of devotion.

You were made to take me... and I was made to ruin you.

Always yours,

Steel Chef's Knife

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Author's Note:

This piece was written for the Dear Inanimate Lover Challenge—an unofficial Vocal challenge hosted by Oneg In The Arctic. The prompt was to craft a love letter between two inanimate objects, and naturally, I chose the most toxic pair I could think of: a knife and a cutting board.

This is what happens when codependency meets sharp devotion.

Thanks to Oneg for inspiring such delicious chaos.