I ask forgiveness <br />for my complicity <br />in the world's impending <br />styrofoam catastrophe, <br /> <br />for getting a new cup sometimes <br />when I have one at home <br />or in our other car; <br /> <br />and for writing poems on the backs <br />of flyers that someone paid <br />his good money for so he <br />could advertise things; <br /> <br />for the way I'll waste still more money <br />on diet coke from the convenience store <br />on the way home, when we have <br />plenty of coke in our own refrigerator, <br /> <br />and for leaving the water <br />running while I do the dishes. <br /> <br />I know I use more Equal <br />than is good for my <br />divinely-given body, <br />and go around with a little <br />buzz from caffeine when I could <br />have unadulterated peace; <br /> <br />and because I try to keep <br />my consciousness balanced <br />by chasing coffee <br />with huge glasses of water, <br />I pee twenty times a day, <br />flushing the toilet each time <br />in a drought state. <br /> <br />Have mercy on me, an abject <br />consumer.<br /><br />Max Reif<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/36-for-small-sins/
