Popcorn
Americans at the cinema on TV, giant cartons on their laps
Shovelling great handfuls. (How did they finish one each?)
Crunchy, buttery, goodness, a comfort, a promise.
And yet, when it came my turn:
More chewy than crunchy. Not enough of either.
More like flavoured cardboard than anything else. (Is that all?)
———
(There was one thing, though)
Growing up, I was told that corn becomes popcorn
because it turns itself inside out.
———
What if, when we’ve done all our evolving,
the transformation, the unveiling,
Into potatoes, werewolves, porcupines, CEOs –
And others turn in fear, reel in disgust,
Or worse – are gently bored?
(More like flavoured cardboard than anything else. Is that all?)