a modern proposal in poetry

we cannot say with any certainty
Rachel Ray has eaten human flesh
of course that would be absurd
unprovable libelous defamation
we have no proof TV’s Rachel Ray
has feasted upon the long-pig

but without one shredded doubt
she has received a serious offer
she is rich and powerful enough
she has run in such lofty circles
where opportunity and depravity
are functionally endless but
responsibility and consequence
exist only as sarcastic quips
“here, Rachel” someone has said
“some heart of orphan, it’s yummo”
“here, Rachel” someone has said
“there aren’t any rules for us”

we cannot say with any certainty
Rachel Ray has eaten human flesh
we want to believe that she did
politely decline that privilege
but you know she’s had the chance
that’s what it means to be rich
in this place we call America

Last updated August 11, 2020