Helen Peppe

Head Over Elbows

Poetry by Helen Peppe

I am refined

Certified Organic

A carb delight.

I defy Atkins,

Comfort little kids,

Comfort you and you and you.

Whole wheat, multi grain, brown or white,

Prince, Mueller, Barilla,

You need me, crave me

For energy,

For thought,

For dinner.

Waiting beneath the cheese,

Marinara,

Smother me,

Yearn for me,

Unrefined.

Suck me! Eat me!

For I am a macaroni being boiled;

knocking against friends, lovers, enemies,

the side of the pot.

I am a macaroni! I am a macaroni!

I kiss and slide, slippery, swollen,

against the metal and

Ooh, Rhonda.

I'm lucky not to be stuck

tight against the bottom,

And luckier still not to be like Fred,

Who never made it to the pot,

but fell into the gas flame,

licked, hardened by the kiss of fire

yet forever alone

uneaten.