Chiclets

On subway platforms, long ago,

Were 2 cent gum machines

And splurging on some Chiclets

Was just one of my routines.

I didn’t chew gum often

But I couldn’t quite resist

Those tiny boxes, 2 squares each,

Which now do not exist.

In peppermint or spearmint,

One pack yellow, one pack green,

Those little Chiclet pillows

Made your mouth feel fresh and clean.

Though candy stores had Chiclets

Sold in packets holding 10,

I wouldn’t waste my money

And was only tempted when…

I had to take the subway

And the gum machine was full;

2 pennies in my pocket

Let me give in to the pull.