For National Poetry Month: A Poem by Cindy Brookshire

Church Doughnuts

Bad enough I have to avert my eyes

From the wall of glazed, powdered, frosted,

crème and jelly filled  doughnuts

in the bakery every week

When I go grocery shopping.

But there they are

Every Sunday morning

On two round trays

Naked for the taking

In the parish hall.

Sinfully pink or white frosted

Chocolate-y and shiny,

rolled in crushed nuts

Or candy sprinkles.

I fantasize taking just one and

Biting into the cream center,

Savoring it with a cup of hot coffee

While sitting in a folding chair,

Listening to adult forum.

But, Lord, if that sugar ever got inside me….

One would never be enough.

I’d be pinching, yanking and elbowing

Sunday Schoolers to get to the best ones

And pretending to walk around the church,

just so the same people  wouldn’t see me

lose count on how many I gobbled down

before the feeling of fullness kicked in.

Late afternoon, regret would follow orgy.

I can’t believe they don’t buy smaller ones,

or less, or none at all.

Why not offer muffins or fresh fruit

or a pot ofsteel cut oats with natural toppings?

I know. Just because I can’t control myself

Doesn’t mean everyone should have to suffer.

But all that sugar….frosting….it isn’t even….food;

Just temptation.

by Cindy Brookshire

April 6, 2014