Melissa Broder Poem
Supper
Everyboy comes to me at a church potluck
perfumed with frankincense and lasagna.
He believes I am a gentle bird girl
in my tulip sweater and raincoat.
I am not so gentle, but I act as if
and what I act as if I might become.
He says: Let’s be still and know refreshments.
Tater tot casserole is wholesome fare.
Let’s get soft, let’s get really, really soft.
I do not say: I am frightened of growing plump;
something about the eye of a needle
and sidling right up close to godliness.
Instead I dig in,
stuff myself on homemade rolls,
tamale pie and creamed chipped beef with noodles.
I eat until my bird bones evanesce.
I eat until I bust from my garments.
I become the burping circus lady
with meaty ham hocks and a sow’s neck.
Everyboy says: Let’s get soft, even softer.
We vibrate at the frequency of angel cake.
Our throats fill with ice cream glossolalia.
The eye of the needle grows wider.
There is room at the organ bench.
I play.
Melissa Broder is the author of the poetry collection WHEN YOU SAY ONE THING BUT MEAN YOUR MOTHER (Ampersand Books).
Sunday Service
Sweet poetry action.
THIS IS AN ECLAIR I EAT TOO MUCH OF BUT DESPITE MY VOMITING DO NOT REGRET OVER-INGESTING
Let’s be still and know refreshments. This is the best pickup line I’ve heard in ages.
Everboy and foodfeelings, YES. More please.
Melissa you always remind me why I never give up on poetry. I really enjoyed this poem and the line “Our throats fill with ice cream glossolalia”… Indeed.
is this a Duggar recipe influenced poem? Broder, as always is fantastic.
I now must find a recipe for creamed chipped beef with noodles. You make me hungry for food and poetry!
I dig, Broder, I dig. That penultimate stanza brought it home in a real good way.
Gut bomb of a poem.
Sweet poetry action.
i’m posting this to facebook.
also, why can’t i like my own posts on this disqus thing?
Fabulous.
I like this poem.
i love that you can almost smell the church basement reading this. and it does indeed smell like creamed chipped beef with noodles.
My bird bones just evanesced so much I think I split my pants. Love it!
You rock and you’ve made me hungry!
i love playing
a truly beautiful piece. i loved melissa’s book and this poem shows an exciting new direction.
tommy and girl and vanilla a la 2010. Congrats.
“I am not so gentle, but I act as if
and what I act as if I might become.”
Mind if I use that?
I love you, Sister Broder.
Thank you for the love rays.
[…] At HTMLGIANT, a poem from Melissa Broder,entitled Supper. […]
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[…] At HTMLGIANT, a poem from Melissa Broder,entitledSupper. […]