The 80’s Miracle Diet

Yours free without the asking

Quick delivery via overnight male,

Special Handling, or ten year incubation.

How I Lost 40 Pounds in Two Weeks

Cocktails of Perrier with a twist of AZT,

Bactrim broiled with bacon bits,

Egg lipid quiche for brunch. Our tongues

Ablaze on toast points in a soundless howl.

The most talented minds, the best bodies

Of my generation going up in smoke.

Act now. Dial 1-800-I-got-it-2.

Our operators are standing by.

I have photographs to prove it:

Before and After and Passed Away.

Notes:

This poem was previously published in Love’s Instruments (Tia Chucha Press, 1995) and is part of the portfolio “Melvin Dixon: I’ll Be Somewhere Listening for My Name.” © Melvin Dixon and used with permission of the author’s estate. You can read the rest of the portfolio in the April 2024 issue.

Source: Poetry (April 2024)