Wanting

Early bird challege: Read Debt Ritual: Oysters by Katie Naughton. Write a poem in which you refer to a specific writer or artist and make a declarative statement about want or desire, set in a particular, people filled place like a restaurant, bus station, museum, etc.  

Naughton's poem is about giving in to desire even though you can't afford it. Truth is, I can't afford to give into certain desires if I want to achieve my long term aim. I'm attempting to ignore the existence of chocolate at the moment as I'm trying to lose weight before an operation and it's strictly off limits.  This morning I went to the supermarket for a few bits and found Easter goodies ramped up to the max! 


Wanting

The purple, red and gold boxes
revealing precious foil-wrapped eggs
are stacked high and wide, 
filling the shelves like a fragrant Warhol painting, 
beguiling shoppers with an offer too good to pass by:
Buy Two Get One Free.

This year my grandkids wanted cash in place of my usual gift of eggs, 
figuring their other doting relatives will come good on the chocolate.
They know they won't go short of sweet treats.

Watching my carbs, counting my calories,
there is no excuse to approach the stand,
scanning for my favourite red-wrapped Lindt delights
usually slipped innocently into the trolley 
for devouring on the drive home.

Standing still,
I close my eyes and inhale deeply,
sucking the sweet aroma deep onto my tongue,
savouring the cloying comfort as best I can,
before walking on, 
empty hands clenched in empty pockets. 



© Copyright 2026. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

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