How does it taste like this? How can it be?
As if with all the strength of every sea?
As potent on the tongue as liquor is,
as bubbly as champagne, with twice the fizz!
And nothing in it! Water, acid, juice,
some sodium, but not at all obtuse,
potassium, but only two percent,
two grams of carbs—not even worth a dent!
There never was a drink like this, so made
that every wish for vigor is repaid,
no man could tell you that it’s sugarless—
to tell him so would make you frivolous!
It is, of course, aspartame’s résumé
to give a drink like Fresca its cachet.
~~~
The picture of thy diligence, O Lord,
the picture of thy fiercest fortitude,
of arms fit well to wield a righteous sword,
of eyes with piercing aim and art imbued.
The picture of thy nourishment, O Lord,
the picture of thy tenderest caress,
of restful arms that make all ills restored,
of soft eyes that can make all burdens less.
We are thy images, thy statues, Lord,
who walk here, senseless of our own aspect,
who wish the others’ art to be adored,
while our own beauty we cannot detect.
Man, woman, made to be pictures of thee—
may every one eventually see.