That Pleasant Crunch

You've taken it into your mouth

It's held tight between your teeth

Your tongue can sense it there so close

It will not be a pleasant taste

It's called regret, it's wrapped in pain

You know inside it will be soft

But it's for you, you know it is

So press with force and pierce the skin

The brittle carapace will soon yield

And fill your mouth with ichor thick

And bitter, like Lang Hughes's sweet

And will it not explode for you?

Will your repast fulfill your needs?

How is it you cannot begin?

The crunch the squirt the chewing, oh!

When it is over, you'll lie down

Why did you fix yourself such food

When you don't wish to savor such?

Take breath! Do chew. Do swallow. Now.

The wings the weapon and the pill

You're vanquished, yes. At last you're done

Go lie outside beneath the leaves

And I will sing my freedom song