I never liked mince pies.
Dandruff covered pastry shoulders.
How an older person might taste
if they were food.
Brandy butter is a metaphor
for society having too much time on its hands.
I eat mince pies because
a lecturer at university bought loads of boxes
for our final December seminar
but only three of us showed up.
My student loan had run out
so I took them all back to my flat
and ate them for six meals in a row.
I like mince pies.
I eat mince pies when I want to feel
nearer to my family.

Carl Burkitt 2024