A Slice of the Pie*
October 12, 2014
A Slice of the Pie
By M. Ann Miller
2014 Merit Award
“One cuts, the other chooses.”
My mother’s instructions
to my brother and me on dividing
a piece of leftover pie or cake.
A solution created with Solomon-like wisdom
to cut through sibling rivalry.
Eyes focus on the emerging size of each piece,
sugary desire hones geometry skills.
Cut carefully, calculate and measure.
Are slices equal? Is one a hair’s breadth larger?
A solution with checks and balances,
vested interest of all parties.
In a current ethos
of entitlement and greed,
I wish I’d see fair distribution
and for us all,
just desserts.
“One cuts, the other chooses.”
*Copyright 2014 by M. Ann Miller. Broadside designed and illustrated by Anita K. Boyle, Egress Studio.