CANDY

Christmas came and went three days ago,
A good one, plenty of parties, presents, prayers
And worshiping, being with people who care,
Chatting around the world With folks we know

And love. Only today does a memory
Suddenly surface, the long-ago time as a child
When Christmas promised above all things the wild
And infinite availability

Of candy, Christmas candy, sour balls, some
With soft and chewy centers, but most of all
The ribbon candy, crisp and crunchable,
Sheets of pink and white and yellow yumyums.

Today my fingers and lips feel sticky, gorging
On thoughts of the annual heavenly sugar orgy.

(76, December 28, l992)

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