Lemon Meringue

I cheated.

I cheated with lemon meringue pie,
and while I feel bloated and guilty,
the taste remains on my tongue.

I sat in the booth telling myself
there would be no deviation
to my no sugar rule, and still
I pulled the small plate close
and quietly watched the fork
slowly cut through a cloud
of stiff white peaks
and yellow sun curd.

Sometimes, I delight in disobeying
my own rules—

This was not one of those times.