The Neat Package
written by: Rita B. Rose
I
Do not nourish me with candy, pies, and chocolate
Or encourage me to act the fool buying a lottery of
Broken promises or have me ignorantly romping
In the garden of youth;
I am older now, seeing clearly through my clouded
Lenses as destiny beckons—
II
The lighthouse lantern has whirled into a tireless tizzy
Its yellowed lamp of lamps
Dull from decades of use— staring at nothing—
In the distance billowy sails teeter on the horizon
Endlessly floating upon the Earth’s watery fishbowl
Traveling somewhere into oblivion
III
Squawking gulls fly overhead resistant to human inanity
They have a purpose; to everything, Tern, Tern—
Worm of all worms is underfoot as I trod
Looking skyward it sniggers
And waits patiently as winter of my life nears—it nears.
The worms are amused—they sense the inevitable—
I will soon be fodder!
IV
As planned, I am delivered by the mortician;
Packaged in a neat rectangular box
With a flowery bough atop
And Worm of all worms do I greet;
Grinning and extending his fleshy Prostomium
Like a straw to sip at my candied-filled flesh
So please, while I am still alive
Do not nourish me with chocolate, candy, and pies!
- Santa Sonnet - December 25, 2025
- The Neat Package - October 22, 2025
- Midnight Approaching - November 2, 2024
