emily times three

i ask why
why when i shop
please explain
do i not buy two
or even four
no never
always
three orange oranges
three apples
three rosy pink grapefruit
why three
veggies now
one head of broccoli
is enough
unless a special offer
raises temptation
two for the price
of one
and then it will sit
that extra broccoli
in the fridge
and turn the shade of blue
that green becomes
when broccoli remains uneaten
past it's sell by date
forcing me to think
of home and hungry children
and waste and guilt
when i finally bring myself
to toss it's suspect self
into the bin
why three
three orange oranges
three apples
three rosy pink grapefruit
why fruit time three
explain it to me
emily times three

Copyright © 2010 by Eryll Oellermann