Master and Commander

Half an hour

to eat an orange

so careful,

teeth worrying over

every

tiny

capsule of pulp.

Forty-five minutes

to eat a rice cake.

Tongue slowly melting

synthetic modules to paper that sticks

on the roof of my mouth.

One hour to eat

a chicken breast sandwich

grilled            obviously.

Leave the roll and chew

each sour filament

into dry oblivion.

Stay in charge,

I restrain my craving

lower my voice

hold everything in

stingy

and secure.

Have all power. All authority.

Total control.