Almanac Poetry: ‘Fake Bacon’ – Tommy Mallet

 

Fake Bacon

 

A small dusty moth

arches about the tinny light shade,

attacking the bulb as if it might win.

When I look hard, each hit produces

the smallest puff

that floats down, towards our straight bourbon.

 

We’re all starving.

Gene’s a hard man from the logging coupes,

He points his twisted leather finger

at Rod.

“The cupboard’s bare! This pasta is it!” he rages.

“Sorry mate. Vego. Won’t eat fake bacon,” Rod says, all easy.

“Yes, fake!” Gene protests.

He’s originally from Hungary and thinks everybody

but him

is mad.

 

Lou’s too drunk. He goes to lean

on something, but misses.

 

Gene slaps the table in frustration.

The smallest shower of dust falls,

lit by the bulb,

filling the moth’s motion.

 

“Okay, listen…” Rod says, all easy.

He’s worked on the plantations his whole life

and won’t be oxed.

“Let me stick a dildo up your arse.”

Gene pauses, mid rage. “What?”

“Let me-“

“I’m not a fucking poof!”

“That’s okay,” Rod smiles. “It’s not a real dick…”

 

Gene sighs, all vexed, runs those leathery

fingers all over his baffled face.

His wife and I exchange looks.

Rod has him.

 

“But it’s technically not meat!” he shouts.

 

Rod smiles,

making big, lazy thrusts with

an invisible vibrator.

He even raises his forearm,

as if holding a person’s legs up.

We laugh at Gene and drink more,

gorging the grub

without either of them.

 

Tilting my head back to shovel in more food

I briefly notice the moth, taking a breather

before re-launching

 

and wonder if it’s happy

being as obsessed as this?

 

 

 

Read more poetry from Tommy Mallet HERE.

 

More poetry from Almanac Poetry can be read HERE

 

If you would like to receive the Almanac Music and Poetry newsletter we will add you to the list. Please email us: [email protected]

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE