by David Roderick

The cheese grumble.

I ordered cheese,
If you please.
Now you think my life's a breeze.

Peas and wine,
Don't taste so fine.
Without cheese is not sublime.

When I order,
Beans are broader.
There's the bread, and here's the border.

Of this plate,
My palate hates.
Your cheese-less bread shall not sate,
My brazen hunger for some cheese.
Here's the menu. There you please!

You gave me not,
Like I'm a sot.
Without cheese? If you what!

Give me cheese.
The more the merrier.
You cheese-less vendor.
You horse-shoe farrier.

Where's the cheese?
Cheese. Cheese. Cheese.
If I'm a mouse, you have the keys.