an abecedarian
(interrupted by two nuggets / two fries)
on happy meals & unhappy times
/ what happens when mcdonald’s nuggets are nothing
more than a reminder that lists (& life) often turn on a dime
# not.the.best.day.ever
and just like that, the formerly closed, no longer for sale
book (mostly hardbacks on loan with soft cover graphics) of
childhood (claims of innocence/clocks on youth) –
days spent playing whack-a-mole and hide-and-go-seek
evenings waiting in a booth at the back
/ threats of paddy whacks
bathroom doors blocked
and locked (nugget #1)
eating over-processed happy meals (half-dozen nuggets) that
failed to nourish (fries perpetually limp / sauce sour) is back. laughing at
guts that rumble and grins that fail to convey genuine delight / both
hot like under-cooked hash brown potatoes (two for a buck) and
icy like the mcflurry that fails to delight. head honchos must be
joking, does corporate really believe that
kickstarting a campaign laden with heavily
laminated (designed by a company named cactus plant), limited-edition
menus turned merch (sweatshirts and coffee mugs) amidst
newly designed (hawaiian punch no longer of much appeal),
over-inflated (alongside salt and red dye)
puffed, pricked, and primed (airwaves eager to publish),
quick-tricks (bargains tossed of kaleidoscope eyes) and
reminiscent picks (sticks and stones / legs to stand on) at
sales (limited-time offerings) simmered by streetwear brands
/ toys included – a horrifying random selection process
/ with promises of
grimace, hamburglar,
birdie, or cactus Buddy /
all faces scorned, turned
(nugget #2)
upside down wouldn’t prompt a widespread frown, at the
very (very) least / all stereo volumes in surround sound
wouldn’t it be nice to warn (big macs rarely warm) / no bells, whistles, or
xylophones, drive-throughs, or counter bells needed / and allow
you, if not me / if not us (grimace as worn as a birdie),
some peace, quiet, and distance
from the fuss,
fictional land of happy days
and childhood make-believe
especially when there are a
zillion other things (fry #1)
/ zebra-striped skirts, zombies, zoom calls, oh my!
that demand
our attention
and deserve
our affection
/ need i list
the reasons why
not everyone needs
to revisit the
childhood land of make-believe
#happy.meals.not.the.best.day.ever
but simply a reminder
that birds of a feather
flock together
/ happiness can’t be bought
(fry #2)
About the Poem
Because I know I can’t be the only one for whom childhood and the possibility of a happy meal were days neither happy nor divine.
About the Author
Jen Schneider is an educator who lives, works, and writes in small spaces throughout Pennsylvania.