“Ode on a Coconut Cream” by Sara Tusek

When I beheld the image of a nut,

Creamy white encircled in deep brown

Tossed upon an oblong, all around,

Thought I, “this package holds gourmet sweets,” but

When I more closely looked upon the box,

What did I see but this: “we do not test

On animals”; of course not, if it’s best

Coconut cream candy! So, like a fox,

I looked with greater cunning, smelling hoax,

What kind of chocolate will “moisturize”?

“Protect and nourish”? Can I believe my eyes

That my own kin would perpetrate such jokes?

I must with sorrow give up all my hope.

This coconut cream dream is only soap.