Search
Close this search box.

i love november….

Photos of Barbie Angell by Rodney Smith - Tempus Fugit Design © 2013

Four- Thirty Thoughts

I don’t really like the taste of food that much.
Not really.
Not the way I’ve seen other people truly enjoy it.
However, I do have one exception.
There is one taste that I spend 10 months waiting for,
and two months savoring.
Egg Nogg.
I crave it in April.
I crave it in June.
I crave it in the heat of summer and two days after
they’re out of it at the grocery store in January.
And in those two blissful months that Egg Nogg is
flowing like a breath stealing, cream-colored stream….
My thirst for it is insatiable.
It hit the stores yesterday.
I purchased my first half-gallon of the season
in a fevered state, and I could feel it slip down my throat
from the moment I reached for the carton.
I perused the dairy section for a full fifteen minutes
trying to decide which flavor to try first.
Because when Egg Nogg is an option, the selection of
styles is seemingly unending.
Lite, Traditional, Laesch, Kemp’s, Premium, and on and on.
I chose carefully.
This was not an impulse buy.
This was not a key chain or a lock de-icer.
This was, after all, Egg Nogg.
I left the store with all the eagerness of a twenty-one year old
purchasing his first legal bottle of booze.
And when I got home, I poured myself the perfect glass of my seasonal addiction.
But when I tasted it,
when all of the sweetness of it ran over my tongue,
I thought of you.
And I realized that maybe I was never meant to have
any of the sweeter things in life.
That maybe I shouldn’t set my heart on something
that I’ll only be able to have for a short time.
Because it only makes everything more difficult when
the Egg Nogg isn’t available anymore.
I dumped the rest of the glass down the sink.
And I left the carton in the fridge.
Maybe someone else will drink it.
Someone who won’t become as addicted to it.

written by barbie dockstader angell.
copyright 2009.

Share this post

10 Responses

  1. Interesting. Eggnog represents something deeper here for certain. Is waiting that which puts the sweetness in a reward? And, can too much time sour the batch? Does time, which sweetnes the wine (or eggnog) embitter it if too much time has passed?

  2. This poem isn’t at all stale, Barbie–it’s good! It is different from a lot of your work in that it’s free verse, but you write free verse well too, in no small part because you have such a well-developed “voice” (an overused word in poebiz, but applicable in your case!) This one would make a great selection on RFBanjo during the holiday season I’m thinking. One completely unsolicited thought that you can consider or ignore as you think best: what would the poem be like without the last two lines? I’m really happy to see you posting about your wonderful poetry : )

    1. thank you. : ) it took me a while to start writing free verse. it was another one of those things people said i “couldn’t do” so i had to prove them wrong. you may absolutely use it on your site for the holidays, thanks for the offer.

      as for the last two lines, the poem was based on a true story. in reality, i did put the boy back on the shelf and let someone else have him….i don’t know if she became addicted to him too or not. i also don’t know if he ever realized the poem was about him, but he does have a copy of it. i think in my brain the story of the boy would be unfinished without those lines, although the story of the egg nogg doesn’t need them.

      i’ll have to think about it. : )

Leave a Reply

Contact Information

Barbie Angell

Release Date

March 5, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Barbie Angell Uncensored” is a dazzling fusion
of poetry, comedy and tragedy

ASHEVILLE NC – Poet, playwright and raconteur Barbie Angell performs “Barbie Angell Uncensored: An Unfiltered, Uninhibited and Unapologetic Event” at 8pm Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at LaZoom Bar & Gorilla. The 90-minute show is a melange of works spanning Angell’s career, including her poetry, excerpts from her autobiographical play “Death by Sparkle,” pieces from her children’s book “Roasting Questions,” and rarely performed mature works.

A multitalented, multi-hyphenate personality based in Asheville since 1999, the always colorful Angell is recognized around town for her work as a poet, playwright, columnist, emcee, artist and fashion designer. She has been voted “Best of WNC” poet by Mountain XPress readers for 10 consecutive years, and her skills as an emcee have made her a sought-after host for local festivals and large events such as Planned Parenthood’s Condom Couture and the Reproductive Rights Rally. 

Angell has written sketch comedy, co-authored “The Kids Show: Definitely Not for Kids,” and penned one act of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” for Montford Park Player. She is currently creating and selling upcycled clothing in her own fun and funky signature style – some of which will be available for sale at the event, along with original artwork and prints.

Equal parts stand-up comedy, poetry slam and public confession booth, “Barbie Angell Uncensored” promises to be emotional, unsettling, hilarious, and as unique as Barbie Angell herself!

Tickets are available at BarbieAngell.com for a suggested donation of $20.