One bright Easter
I hoarded my solid
chocolate pony, nibbled
its white hooves, pondering
what next, tail or mane?
I hid him behind
the chest of drawers
so brother and sisters
couldn’t find.
Weeks passed, forgot
pulled him out, mottled
chocolate chalk now,
one yellow candy eye
staring at me
like a communion host
with a pupil.

I learned at ten
that, once bitten,
there’s no
going back.
Dear things
can be saved
too long.