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POETRY CONTEST

Learning to Eat

We all try to find a fit for
this repast -- a companion who
loves us deeply, a job we can
do well, a way to contribute that
might be remembered.

We try to eat life in high-mannered
fashion; always using the right fork,
selecting the best wines, and making
flawless dessert recommendations
to our dining companions.

But most of us barely muddle through.
We get seduced by circumstance,
confused by the menu, and seldom
get to eat like adults.

Instead, we ignore assigned seating
and constantly forget to pass the salt.
We keep talking with our mouths full,
bumping into things, and knocking
over our milk.

John Brooks
Colleyville, Texas