And So Because We Don't Want To

We do. We dangle the flame before

the wick and watch it grab hold like

a thirsty child or a madman handling

the merchandise who walks out

without paying. We've forgotten

what good weather is and what good

manners will get us—tea, asparagus,

a pot of mayonnaise gone opaque under

candlelight, dinner for ten with gilded

patrons and jewel-studded benefactors.

Everywhere there is a philanthropist,

someone giving, someone taking.