The opening paragraph is more poetic than anything— the breaking dish simile and the metaphor of the daily routine + life plans.
I had to reread the first line of your second paragraph, and once I got it, it made me laugh.
Not sure if the ‘as’ in your last sentence is needed or intended to be there. I think you chose the correct challenge to enter this, though it would fit well in both. Thanks for leading me here.

good job turning a rather dull subject matter into something poetic and interesting to read.

The split poem/story format is intriguing. I like it, and it conveys more than either.

Very interesting piece – a story centered around nothingness – a life based on emptiness. Great use of structure ; ficlies are so much easier to read when they’re pretty =) There are a few parts that made me chuckle rather bitterly, especially the description of income. Awesome end too…