Ah, the Presentation! Aug. 21, 2026

like a mango at the

earthen end of its fall,

I rolled out of bed this morning

excited to create my sticky rice dish

but I made too little rice

overcooked it

was short on sugar

and the coconut milk

smelled a little off

yet, the guests raved

and finished every bite

perhaps it was the presentation;

rice ball, drizzled with coconut syrup

and orange clumps of mango,

slick and sweet

that simply won them over

though I ate quietly it

adding a slight lip cringe

to the conversation