Bittersweet
You don a bitter orange peel cloak.
Tangy lemon tingles tart on my tongue.
I scoop the grapefruit quarter sans sugar
And smart at the startling sour.
Acerbic is what you’re offering.
No fruit-shaped confections ladled with fructose
Nor strawberries smothered in unctuous chocolate.
I scour the bland baskets with scorn
While dreaming of syrup-dripped candy.
Bittersweet is what you’re offering.
Sneakin’ down the street for satisfaction.
Praying to Virgin Mary for my sins.
I scoop the saccharine confections.
Savoring that sickeningly sweet thrill.
Anything, but what you’re offering.
And I wait for judgment’s final wrath.
- Theresa Milstein
What a clever take on this Mag - it set my mouth watering in sympathy. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jinksy. Glad my magpie did it's job.
DeleteStrong repetition. Anything, but what you're offering...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Undercaws!
DeleteThere is a bitter sweetness to this I like very much.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hamish.
DeleteThe bitterness of lies = well captured!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex. Also, I appreciate you letting me know about Sharknado 2. ;)
DeleteRather powerfully written; well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Berowne!
Deletesweet is toxic i read somewhere... oh i wish i dint have a sweet tooth myself... its too much selfrestrain!! :)
ReplyDeleteSelf restraint is hard, Arushi!
DeleteBittersweet indeed. Your described look of scorn hits home--for not finding the sweet reward.
ReplyDeleteSlamdunk, if it's not at home, temptations are everywhere....
DeleteVery powerful. Great job! Takes a true talent to pull this prose off well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Miranda!
DeleteBitter-sweet goodness. A basket of health.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Kalpana.
DeleteI especially like the line "anything but what you're offering", because that one in particular told me a lot about the narrator's relationship with the other person.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Neurotic Workaholic. I'm glad that line had the intended impact.
DeleteBittersweet indeed....a brilliant response to the prompt Theresa!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Carrie!
DeleteWell done! Reading this actually made my mouth water (I guess my brain got the message about the tart and sour flavors). :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS, hope you had something sweet!
DeleteBittersweet. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda!
DeleteI remember my friend from childhood going through Lint and giving up sweets. She never lasted long either, especially when she came to play at my house.
ReplyDelete-Kelly @ www.kellydelvalle.net/poetry
Kelly, I wonder if my subconscious was thinking about Lent.
Deleteyow! Excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathe W!
DeleteAmazing poem, Theresa.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Medeia!
DeleteHi Theresa .. you've taken to these like a magpie to thuggery - well that's what I associate ours with - they kill things! But these poems are great .. well done .. love them ..
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
Thanks so much, Hilary. I look at them almost every week, but I often can't think of a poem or don't have a poem sitting around that fits. The last few times have worked out.
DeleteHi Theresa .. it was a google image I found, which seemed to fit the bill .. so I added it in .. I'll try and answer your son's Greek blues .. not the next post - but anon ... I need to get to London again! Cheers Hilary
DeleteThanks for the info, Hilary! If you do A to Z next year, maybe consider a color theme. I found your post so interesting.
Delete"And I wait for judgment’s final wrath."
ReplyDeleteNo way, not for that!
You didn't even steal an apple!!
Loved the poem and all the analogies it may generate.
Beautifully done ~ Eddie :)
Thank you, Eddie! I guess it depends on what we decide is a sin.
DeleteClever metaphor, and well worked out.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Doctor FTSE.
DeleteGoodness, Theresa. Deep thoughts. Deep. I'm not sure I was ready for something so deep today. Pondering...
ReplyDeleteCrystal, didn't mean to be so deep. ;)
DeleteLOL. It's good for us. Never apologize for making someone think, eh?
DeleteBeautifully done. Now I'm craving dessert!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, hope you got to eat something sweet!
DeleteI love the word usage here. I could "taste" every citrusy bite! There were times my mouth turned at the thought of the citric acid. Very bittersweet. Well done :) ~ Jen
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I'm glad you enjoyed the poem!
DeleteMichael, my poem sure took you in a different direction!
ReplyDeleteLots of tang in this one, Theresa! Good job.
ReplyDeleteOoh, you've been posting poems and I've been missing them! Thanks for sharing these, Theresa. Love your imagery.
ReplyDelete