Jul/Aug 2001  •   Poetry

Malvolio the Patissier

by Alessio Zanelli


Malvolio the Patissier

Nobody bears in mind he once was
One of the kings of the confectionery
Industry. Malvolio says he never
Happened to comply with anybody's
Suits, nor wishes but of his own, he
Simply used to have his cake and eat
It. He says he was immoderate, broke
Loose from all restraint, causing
Pain was his great hobby, and he'd
Been hardening to others hatred and
Curses. A son dead of an overdose, two
Divorces and a five-year imprisonment
For bankruptcy made him come off
His high horse. He much too well
Remembers the hands that pulled him
Out of the track a few seconds before
The intercity could smash him. He
Hardly ever gets tired of blessing those
Unknown hands. He is now happy to
Make his living by cooking cakelets
And pastry for his native town's home
For orphans. The lads say he is so good
At it and his face reads it's never too
Late to regain a place in heaven.