The 80’s Miracle Diet
By Melvin Dixon
Yours free without the asking
Quick delivery via overnight male,
Special Handling, or ten year incubation.
How I Lost 40 Pounds in Two Weeks
Cocktails of Perrier with a twist of AZT,
Bactrim broiled with bacon bits,
Egg lipid quiche for brunch. Our tongues
Ablaze on toast points in a soundless howl.
The most talented minds, the best bodies
Of my generation going up in smoke.
Act now. Dial 1-800-I-got-it-2.
Our operators are standing by.
I have photographs to prove it:
Before and After and Passed Away.
Notes:
This poem was previously published in Love’s Instruments (Tia Chucha Press, 1995) and is part of the portfolio “Melvin Dixon: I’ll Be Somewhere Listening for My Name.” © Melvin Dixon and used with permission of the author’s estate. You can read the rest of the portfolio in the April 2024 issue.
Source:
Poetry
(April 2024)