Pandemic Poems - APRIL 2020
Author's Note: When I was a kid, I ate the food put before me and knew better than to complain. As an adult, I
considered much of what I grew up on to be food for the apocalypse. I think of this now, as I dig more deeply into my pantry.
Supper: 3 Cans
Vienna Sausage
Pull ring tab
lay circle aside.
With thumb
and forefinger
dislodge sausage
bite, chew, swallow.
Note how jelly
aids the slide.
Deviled Ham
Unfold wrapper
with tempting
devils. Scrape
blisters of fat
from top. Discard.
Finger contents
onto saltine.
Think orphans.
Eat.
Spam
Suspiciously twist
key around can.
Careful!
One slip could slit wrist.
The oblong will stick
to side of can.
Use knife to spoil
suction. Bite
off hunk, pass
to neighbor.
Bail.
(Originally appeared in Gravity: New & Selected Poems)
©2020 Donna Hilbert
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