The Unbridled Bribery

All Day Breakfast, the first meal I have when 

I return to the United Kingdom.

It is my fourth year leaving my hometown. 

I prioritize the fried tomatoes, 

Reluctantly. Gulping them down my throat.

I recall the luring scheme mum imposed. 

She raved over its nourishment,

And exaggerated the health issues

Of being a fussy eater: Cancer.

I contended with these clichés. She soon 

Admitted defeat to a boy of eight. 

She bribed me with the newest edition

Of Mario Cart. Somehow, I did shrug

And haggle over the offer. She put

Forward a deal of a buffet dinner

On Saturday night. I still managed to

Wag my index finger, to hold off her 

Bid. Until she suborned me with tickets

To Ocean Park. I couldn’t resist. Settled.

Mum forced me to compromise and eat two 

Slices of tomato. I squirmed in my

Chair as she caressed my back. Whereas now 

Four sides of walls, surrounding me, not her.

No instant reminder. No reward schemes 

For vegetable intake. No gentle

Touch for me to choke the tomatoes down.

She can only speak on the tablet to

Me, for a few minutes, in a few words.