Some lighthearted verse today inspired by the candy jar in my classroom…
The Purple Jolly Rancher
Sitting in a crowded bag
Or in a glass bell jar
Or in the bottom of a drawer,
I wonder why nobody likes me. I hear
The Reds and Yellows talking about
How worthless I am.
The Hands reach in the bag or the jar, pick me up, and
Toss me aside.
Wanting so much to be the one
Chosen by the Hands,
I am the Purple Jolly Rancher.
Pretending fingers are unwrapping me,
Feeling myself melt as I rest on a giant tongue,
Crying when I get picked up only to be thrown back,
Worrying that I will be unwanted forever,
I am not Red, Yellow, or Green.
I understand that not everyone likes
Grape. Still, I say, Is it too much to ask
To be liked by someone?
I can’t help but dream of being
As popular as Cherry or Apple,
While I try to be thankful
That at least there are other Purples
Left behind so I’m not always
Alone.
I hope someday a Hand will pick me
From the bag,
Or the jar,
Or find me in a drawer.
Until then, I am the Purple Jolly Rancher,
The one nobody wants.
