it’s frantic
and i am, too
sticky strawberry juice
wraps around the corners of my bowl
left over from children’s meal time
it bothers me
as i sit down and try to rest my hands
up on the table
trying to be mindful, thoughtful
but eating descends quickly into shoveling
tasted in only tiny bits
here and there
i worry i will never get enough
i worry i will never be enough
i worry i will never get enough
i worry i will never be enough
i get up to wipe the table clean
set my hands up on it
and gently, angrily try again
Tasting Freedom 