Selfishness Poem by RIC BASTASA

a little girl is licking
ice cream
to her desire not minding
mother
who is still praying intently
in church this Sunday
afternoon

i must not have been
serious in my prayers too
for good health, and wealth
and happiness

my mind is caught in the child's
selfishness
her passion for ice cream
her only desire
her only dream
ice cream.

and i reflect upon this matter
myself
not that ice cream but something
else
although it refers to no other
but same
selfishness.