CONSUMPTION

The man sat cheerful with a full dinner on his plate
but he cried.
He languished, now well-nourished
for better, better times.
That in all his vacant splendour,
lavish meals,
soft hands,
china imported plates
he could have a fuller belly.
Greed make mockery,
no more sinful,
when good company she takes.
His friends came, invited guests.
They all sat round the table
ate from twelve,
laser-cut machine perfected,
plates.
They wallowed like a chorus
in harmonious agreement.
The neighbour filed noise complaints
but no police
came to greet them.
Louder and louder and lounder
the noise of their despair.
The neighbour pulled out a shotgun
but the twelve never moved,
never cared.