1. Criticism
Fran wasn’t a fan of Frank’s flan,
faulting him for failing to fold in
enough fat to form a firmness
that would be fitting for a flan
for Fran. But Frank was famously
fussy, favoring fitness over flavor,
forgetting fat makes it more filling
and far more fun than Fran’s frown.
2. Praise
Don doted on David’s donut, determining
the Devil’s food the most delicious of the day
and deeming his decision to dust it delicately
with a dash of Dutch-processed dark cocoa
for decoration as daringly decadent as the dollop
of Damson jam he doled out for dipping.
I didn’t drastically overdo it? David despaired.
Don’t doubt yourself, David, Don declared.
This dish is undeniably delightful.
Michael Montlack is author of two poetry collections and editor of the Lambda Finalist essay anthology, My Diva: 65 Gay Men on the Women Who Inspire Them (University of Wisconsin Press). His poems recently appeared in Prairie Schooner, North American Review, Poet Lore, Cincinnati Review, and phoebe. His prose has appeared in The Rumpus, Huffington Post and Advocate.com. In 2022 his poem won the Saints & Sinners Poetry Award (for LGBTQ writers). He lives in NYC.
Image: “4th Street Troy NY” by Daniel Nester
Pine Hills Review 