communion

take the bread
put it to your mouth

chew.
feel the soft mound
crunch becoming mush
under teeth, under tongue.

chew.
taste how sweet
the hint of salt
under teeth, under tongue

take the bread.
even if you are not hungry
push more into your mouth

chew,
take more, then chew again
until you are full
take,
chew,
eat.
eat till you are swollen,
till you are tired.

and then they will offer you wine
drink,
taste how sweet.
drink,
chew.

till the bread splits like flesh
wine gushes like blood
under teeth, under tongue.

swallow.
but, i say, i’m still hungry

This poem was originally published in Issue 09: gluttony