“916 Winter Street” by Ben Nardolilli

These flowers in my room look good enough to eat, 
and that’s the problem, they shouldn’t, 
an edible flower is supposed to be closer to an artichoke, 
not this thing, whatever species 
this plastic monstrosity is supposed to be 

The stems look like shallots for Peking Duck, 
The leaves resemble basil you can use to top off a pizza, 
While the buds are cherries without a pit, 
The blossoms are a strange mix too, 
Combining rice cakes and buttery popcorn for a snack