My New Business

You thought I had
retired from sweets

but no
here I go
to my candy shop

for now
I own this world
a business I've craved
all my life

I wear a white cap
to cover my hair
never pulled taffy tighter

I have mastered
peanut brittle
my lemon drops
‘won't sour your
mouth

my candy kisses
Hershey rich
are never too sweet
for one more kiss
my peppermint canes
will walk you home

Notes

McDaniel, Wilma. (2001) Borrowed Coats. Hanging Loose Press, Brooklyn, New York.
Courtesy University of California, Merced Library. Copyright owned by the Regents of the University of California.