Bread Machine

Bread Machine

Because you got married,
I brought you this bread machine.

While I bought it, I thought
of the two of you. I held the image

of your kitchen in my heart
while comparing the boxed appliances.

There were four options, but
this one was meant for you, the others

stepped back into the shadow
of toasters and blenders, of these robots

that embrace or shred our food.
Your bread maker calls itself a home bakery,

its baking cycle can be delayed
for 12 hours, which means you can use

it as an alarm clock if you are
able to stir from sleep by fragrance only.

Do not read allegory into this
gift. Marriage is not like a bread machine.

But these wedding gifts will
tell you what we all want for you: rooms.

The room is the realm
of marriage, the pillowcase, the curtain,

the vase and coffee grinder.
We can help you process your food, do not

touch the ingredients, newlyweds.
No one is an appliance, I think we mean to say,

and no relationship a machine.
I want so much for you both to knead this.