The Wise Giver.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

this is your rice cake
i am handing this to you
this is all yours

on these conditions:

you will not eat it
you have to guard it against
the flies and ants
take care of it
do not eat it for i do not allow it
it gets consumed and
then be gone
and that is bad for you
& me

at night
guard it still from mosquitoes
for they bring diseases
see to it that you heat it
in the oven
lest it gets moldy and
become spoiled

against the light
by that oil lamp
the rice cake casts a shadow
on the table

that is what you can eat
that alone
now partake
of my kindness
satisfy your hunger
on that shadow
slice it with a knife
and on small chunks
feed your mouth
nourish your body

till that rice cake is gone.