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Instructions for See’s Candy: A Love Song Learned from My Mother

By Susy Pareto

“Life is a box of chocolates. Here’s how you do it,” she said without another word.

Pick up a piece.
         chocolate filling
         marzipan
         truffle
         brickle
Pause to note the smooth, warm texture between thumb and finger. 

Now, bring it to your mouth,
And slowly,
           steadily,
                      bite down.

Teeth cut through the buttery darkness
Like cutting blades on a garden clipper
The sweetness seeps out like sap
           covers the tongue
           coats the palate
           transforms the sides into
                    cool
                    creamy chocolate-y cocoa-y
                    truffle-y nougat-y praline-y
                    other-worldly
                    let-me-lie-down and dreamil-y

Eyes closed.
Nothing exists but mouth,
And tongue,
            twirling, swirling, luring
All thoughts into one luscious lump of pleasure.
              Chocolate.

And I want you again, and again, and again 

A lifelong love affair, long after she’s gone.

Susy Pareto writes, gardens and lives in Petaluma, California. A former translator, she spent many years in Europe and holds a BA in Design and an MA in Linguistics. Her favorite pieces are as yet unpublished.