opened:
in an excited flurry
of soggy soft wrinkled wrappers
crinkling like paper on a birthday present

taken out:
perfectly-molded tower
of cold crimson in a fuzzy frosty coat
flawless beauty soon to be marred

begun:
with happy sounds
of the satisfied slurping and mollified munching
of brief cool solace in a heat-drenched day

enjoyed:
in cold numbed lips
and marvelous messy damp dripping
down the face, too late to be caught by a napkin

finished:
with a fond memory
and scarlet-stained tongue to protrude proudly
like a trophy, after giving up hope of a few more sweet drops on the stick.