i. it is a gesture
of love;
the product
of time well spent.
ii. it is a mistake,
a reason for
disaster,
a frantic trip to
the store for
more flour,
sugar,
butter.
iii. it is hidden,
a lady in
waiting,
afraid of
the world
around her.
iv. it is a failure,
a reminder of why
you chose writing
(not baking).
v. it is a setback,
a reversal,
a reason to turn
back the clock and
start again.
vi. it is a centerpiece,
candy for
six year old eyes.
vii. it is collapsed—
ripped apart by
sickly sweet icing—
swallowed whole by
a gaping void of
stodgy batter.
viii. it is laughter,
lightness,
a cascading waterfall
of air.
ix. a joke
you never intended
on making,
but now are so glad
you did.
x. it is a rebellion
against your old
personality.
xi. it is growth.
/look how far
you have come
since the last time
you tried this/
xii. it is unfinished,
sitting lonely on an
empty pedestal,
waiting for
its chance in the
spotlight.
xiii. it is
the oven’s
fault.
– undercooked cake
If poems are your thing, check out this recent poem about overcoming obstacles.