Man of Sweets

Kristine Ong Muslim

He came out of nowhere,
and how the girls swooned!

They kept pictures of him
under their pillows,
dealt with love potions
to win his attention,
and spilled all their secrets
down his syrupy drain.

Years later, his sugary cloak
was eaten away by ants,
and the girls finally saw
him devoid of frosting.

They pecked his lying
chocolate eyes,
severed his pink
gum-tongue,
and lapped his melting
cotton-candy vows.