GINA C. BRYSON
Asparagus

Blue haired boys
straight up from the earth
in their not so particular pattern.

They bend with a snap
if you pick 'em just right
and gather quite nicely
in my cast iron pan
water to steam till their green
with butter melting
and smash in my mouth.

Oh, the difference in taste
'tween those been fresh plucked
and those left behind
for lack of flavor
lack of sense.