Greg Gaul Poet Free verse

The Lesson of the Raisin

How slow can one eat one raisin?
How slow can one go?
A towheaded toddler sits cross-legged
Amidst his playroom with a raisin pinched
Between his forefinger and thumb, staring...
Raisins in handfuls...raisins in breads...
Raisins in muffins...raisins in holiday cakes...
Ever take more than one bite of a raisin?
Focus on that mini morsel:
A monumental mini mindful moment.
Focusing on a tiny thing can be big.
One raisin might sustain a guru, or you.
Could it be a portal to a new dimension?
Biting one raisin may open other worlds.

There are other sides to every story,
Even some coins have many faces.
Why we do things often defies 
Reason and explanation...
And only rests in unbridled emotion.

Imagine now an 18th century regal, formal dinner:
Tuxedoed staff silently surrounds seated guests.
A kingly chap calmly sits amidst tinkling crystal.
Glittering, flittering, candled chandeliers glow...
In a tall, dark cornered, crown molded salon.
Flocked crimson medallion wallpaper in pattern...
Silver-haired, jewel-encrusted ladies adorn...
A triple tiered frosted cake - just for him.
Alone, stuffing his noble face - cheeks bulging...
Frosty globs creep from the corners of his royal lips.
Gorging himself, all that one could bare.
In the age of excess, some can't get enough.
Never ever taking only a bitty bite.
When is enough enough?

The awakened child within...
Teaches us many things.
If you can eat one raisin slowly...
You'll likely never yield
To inner abhorrent urges.

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Juliet Ligon November 20, 2019 at 10:52 PM Congrats on your placement, Greg! Very descriptive and thought provoking. I was like that toddler too when given candy as a child, savoring each moment with miniscule nibbles. Greg Gaul November 21, 2019 at 6:05 AM Then mindfulness is yours. Thank you for noticing and commenting. Most appreciated.

Constance La France November 20, 2019 at 4:01 PM Greg congratulations on your Honorable Mention in my writing challenge. Your poem would have placed much higher but you did not put the required date, challenge and sponsor at the bottom of your poem,. Greg Gaul November 21, 2019 at 6:04 AM Dear Heart, thanks for the HM and kind comments. My version of the poem does have the required details on it, don't know what happened. It's okay though.

Connie Marcum Wong September 8, 2019 at 9:29 PM What a spectacular offering Greg! I was carried away by your descriptive images of decadent dining! I see why this is the first place winner! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Congratulations! : ) xxoo Greg Gaul September 9, 2019 at 5:46 AM Your comments are delightful and most encouraging. Thank you so much.