Hunger

[Quixilated]

So I have read this over many times.  Based on the title and all the “red” imagery, I interpreted it to be a description of a car accident.  At first, because of the title and the last line, I thought the mom character has been hit by a car.   Now, based on the comment that this is part of a dog-themed series, I am thinking that the mom character has hit the dog and that is why she is in shock.  However, as a stand alone, there is no clear indication of the existence of the dog.

The food imagery gives the poem an uncomfortable surreal effect, which I like because this is sort of how the world feels when someone is in shock.  For some random reason it bothers me that all the foods mentioned are sweet with the exception of the catsup (I say ketchup ).  Though it is appropriately red for the scene, it doesn’t fit in with the other flavors (jelly, glaze, compote, vanilla). Which makes it stand out instead of blending in with the scene that is happening. Also, catsup for blood is too easy.  Everything else is so unexpected.  Maybe there is some other blood-like-but-sweet food that would be more unexpected and yet “bloody” enough to set the scene?  Cranberry compote?

(That is if this is actually a car/dog accident poem.  If this is about a dessert malfunction then I am very sorry for taking it to the dark place. )