Dim Sum, or, What Would You Recommend?

The sad
and soft-centered
dumpling of my self-esteem
has been oversoftened
by the long low heat
of lazy living.

If you want to eat it,
you can.  A little sauce,
something pungent,
will be required
if you want it
to have any flavor at all,

because it’s been bleached
and drained beyond the point
where it could bear
its own taste. 

Turn the lights down,
please, if you take it;
I don’t want to see
how shapeless
it’s become. 
Dim sum indeed

that’s far less
than its parts — talent
and a stubborn faith in the talent
don’t make up for
the energy I never poured
into using it.

You see?  It tastes like
nothing’s there at all.
It barely filled you. 
I can already see you
poking at the cart looking
for something better.