Manuela Cardiga - Guilty Pleasures and Culinary Treasures

SALE! CUT PRICES! BUY NOW!

Bargain hunters

And compulsive shoppers
(whom we adore) 

Come and enjoy our
"CONSTANTLY GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE STORE"

What do we sell?
What do we offer?
That can make you
Empty your coffer?

Right here!
All you can eat!
HUMBLE PIE
With sour-puss
Cream on the side!

On the next rack,
For your delight,
Magnums of vintage
SOUR-GRAPES!

Next we have
Delightful packs of
CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT,
HOUND-DOG BLUES
And BIRDS OF A FEATHER
In several hues!

But our special
Promotion for the day,
And the best deal
You ever made;
For those dull
Evenings surrounded by fools
Or women with fang-eyes
Covered in jewels,
Or just a small
Intimate dinner for two
With a man who
Suddenly drools?

Our extra special
FREUDIAN SLIP
Will bring every
Inconsequent,
Irreverent,
Imprudent
Or just rude remark
Straight from the back
Of your mind
Where it is usually
Safely (and conveniently)
Parked, conveying it
Directly to the tip of
Your tongue,
Where it will
Embarrass
Astound
And confound,
And is guaranteed
To have a profound
Transformative
Effect on every
Relationship or kinship
Based on convenience
Or the occasional
Sharing of a bed;
Safeguarding only
Those rare ones
Based on respect.

RESPECT?
Oh! I'm so sorry!
We don't carry any,
In any case
You will find that
This particular product
You have in mind
Is always best
Hard- earned
Or home-grown.

But since I hate
Sending customers home
Without a treasure
For their trove,
Can I perhaps interest you in a
A small ready -made poem?

Manuela Cardiga