Control

By Cliff Lake

 

Control

 

What soft net is this?

Caught in velvet and smoke,

A web imperious and pervasive.

 

The shapely vessel,

The assigned utensil,

Rituals in consumption.

 

Such pretty trappings,

Such eloquence bestowed,

An industry in indulgence.

 

The obeisance is ancient,

The design oft recorded,

And men weep and women rage.

 

A honeyed tongue,

A grape soured,

Wheat, rice, and molasses turn.

 

The stein foams,

The cork flies,

The trap sprung in good company.

 

Let the voices ring!

Let the dance commence!

Tomorrow’s pains are yet ahead.

 

What sot lies there sprawled?

Pass that one by,

The snare has caught him, not you.

 

Indulge! Ingest! Imbibe!

Two after work, and with dinner, with friends,

You are in control.

 

What sot lies there sprawled?

It is not you.

Is it 5 o’clock yet?

 

You are in control…

 

Cliff Lake 4/11/2026

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2026

Location: Wichita, KS, USA

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