Toasting Marshmallows

By Kristine O'Connell George
I am a careful marshmallow toaster,
a patient marshmallow roaster,
turning my stick oh-so-slowly,
taking my time, checking often.
This is art---
a time of serious reflection
as my pillowed confection
slowly reaches golden perfection.
 
My brother
            grabs ‘em with grubby hands
                        shoves ‘em on the stick
                                    burns ‘em to a crisp
                                                cools ‘em off
                                                            flicks soot
                                                                        eats quick.
 
I’m still turning my stick.
He’s already eaten six.


Copyright Credit: Kristine O’Connell George, "Toasting Marshmallows" from Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. Copyright © 2001 by Kristine O’Connell George. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Source: Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)