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Image by Cora Leach
Writer's pictureNolcha Fox

Can’t Change It

Updated: Sep 26



Life is a vending machine

that disguises my choices

as panda-painted Chow Chows.

My selections are stuck

in the cogwheels of karma.

It dispenses time declining

in a form that I can’t stomach.

And it never ever

gives me back my change.


inspired by the day 25 prompt, haunted vending machine, in the Garden of Neuro Institute Poetry Circle, and


published in Substack:

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9 Comments


Yvonne Osborne
Yvonne Osborne
Sep 29

I LOVE this take of life as a vending machine. Very unique concept and your last line, so sadly true.

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Nolcha Fox
Nolcha Fox
Oct 03
Replying to

I wonder if vending machines ever go on shopping sprees with all the money they don't give back.

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Guest
Sep 26

The conceit works perfectly, however broken the vending machine. What is stolen, what is lost in the "cogwheels of karma" is something experience never prepares us for. What a brillinat use of extended metaphor, Nolcha!

~~ Dora

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Nolcha Fox
Nolcha Fox
Sep 26
Replying to

Thanks, Dora, I'm glad you caught that! I'm never ready for the surprises life throws me.

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Guest
Sep 26

"My selections are stuck

in the cogwheels of karma."....As Time marches on everything will be sorted out hopefully. Smiles. Sumana

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Nolcha Fox
Nolcha Fox
Sep 26
Replying to

I had lots of fun with this poem, Sumana. Weird fun, but fun. Thanks!

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Guest
Sep 25

Oh that image at this time in the afternoon when I would love a n unhealthy snack. LOL. Our choices in life can be that random and yet, when all is said and done, they seem to get us to where we need to be. I enjoyed your poem.

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Nolcha Fox
Nolcha Fox
Sep 26
Replying to

Thanks, Sherry! Those naughty little snacks.....


Wix makes me crazy. As I understand it, a guest doesn't have to sign in, but a member does (at least initially) - and the member names appear with the post. Guests appear with the name Guest.

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