Oreo Cookies

did you ever notice the lack of finality
in an oreo cookie?

the only thing that can save you,
once you start in on them,
is the thought that you might have
to tear open another package
or,
worse,
drive all the way to the store
for another box.

why am i telling you this? for one reason:

should you happen to notice someone
with a dazed expression,
sunken features,
and bags under their eyes,
stumbling down the aisles of the ghetto smiths
or the 24-hour wal-mart,
or around back of the frontier restaurant,
where rocks are two dollars,
and oreos are three,

you might discover an unexpected empathy
because this passion is so far out of my control.