Our world is sugarcoated

We see screaming neons

But can we wear green-lensed glasses

And let the sweet world turn simple

Can we climb the low-branched apple tree

In the center of a grassy stone-studded meadow

Then pick its fruit

Not making them into candy apples

Can you see life’s

Crooked windows

The mossy wooden floors

Jammed door

And not see sugar

So we form a community — 

Not seeking

Prepackaged waffle fry cravers

Or dewy grass haters

Because we don’t chew the cookies

With dandelion-shaped frosting

We clip dandelion stems with our dirty fingernails

And grind the sour petals to a pulp between our back teeth

We don’t add sugar

We drag our fingertips against horses’ rough manes

Pet their noses, buzzing with mosquitoes — 

We don’t slice them open and sprinkle sugar

On their bloody, broken bodies

Because we don’t sugarcoat life