(and many others) part one of two

impatient, he cracked it open
reverently he slid the crinkled stripe
free of its protective shell

a hushed silence fell over the family
the young ones had long ago learned
this important tradition

he held it up before them
they imagined a halo above it,
glowing, dazzling

he unfolded it, straightened it,
pressed it against the table edge
to prepare it as best he could

slowly, he read the benediction aloud:
"your personality wins you many friends"

as one, the others responded,
"in bed".


buzzard