inheritance

there are some who would argue
that we had not earned
ninety dollars of fruitcake.
others would question our right
to open three of them at once.

at the end of the night,
five un eaten and partially eaten fruitcakes
waited for deliberating hands
to lift and consider, and
leave for something of a stricter diet, or
stuff in the bottom of a bookbag, or
straight to the dumpster in one case--
garnished with a sheeps' milk cheese.

yes, some would say these things
but one does not merit fruitcake, for christssake.
i can only soldier my cheeks
at its tongue-turning sweetness.