I went through several emotions watching this show: thoughts of overconsumption, memories of serving, and a lingering void. I wanted to touch all of these things in this piece.
In response to Food
In response to Food
as I strip my humanity, as I shed
and molt in front
of hungry eyes. Garnish
the platters you consume. I survive
off lollipops and Monster Energy
with the fragrant stench of onion
and garlic lined in the tattered fibers
of my Walmart-bought uniform. I binge,
I abstain; the patterned weeks follow
my desire and the methodology
of consumption repulses at every chew,
gathering saliva in the pit of my throat.
So let me
suck, suck, suck
this parasitic orb of corn syrup-ed,
starched, citric acid, glycerin,
colored with Red 40. Coat my throat
with synthetic taurine. Use
my vessel, and I’ll be your host. As I
aid in your participation in gluttony. I abide;
shiver a smile. Trash the scraps left behind
and taint them with bleach. By the pawns
of corporate greed, passively, I swallow
with gold-plated tunnel vision.