In the eerie light of early morning
after hours of clock watching
take no comfort in the dimly lit kitchen.
No salt, no sugar, no highly saturated
snacks that cut a quick swath
of pleasure, before you swallow.
No emotional eating—neither sad
nor glad. No celebratory pâté,
no despondent pudding.
Growling stomach,
every morsel skim,
small, unappealing.
No home baked
bread no yeasty bulk
to fill a vacuum.
Worship foods that transmit
encrypted messages
of fullness, of satisfaction.
Swallow oceans of water,
distract yourself, do not ruminate
over what you wish you had done.
Divert tangled thoughts
about spaghetti, ruinous,
despite extra virgin olive oil.
Think garlic, beans,
lean meat and fish,
think constant self criticism,
think yearning.