Hunger

Bitter! Bitter! Bitter!

And I am. Spit me out.

I hope your stomach turns at the thought

Of trying to chew me.

I've evolved to have teeth

I'm pineapple on your tongue

I will eat you back.

My sister had a dream

I had a dream

Someone sucked out the melted marshmallow center of our prayers

Strawberries in the grass of my aunts yard

Red pulp on my little hands

Before I bloomed

Before I became ripe

Men have always wanted to taste me

Eleven is the color of wine

Thirteen feels rotten

Chef's hands over my full-bodied flavor

I belong to anyone at sixteen

People pluck grapes from my vine

Without my consent

Who cares? She's here to feed us

You don't even have to be edible to deserve it

They just have to think you are

If they can eat you,

They will

Bitter!

Bitter!

Bitter!

So I am.

Spit me out.