Things that have
the bitterness of olives
and dandelion greens
should not be sweetened.
You have to take them down
with salt and garlic
in the dark rolling flavor
that seeks the underside of tongues
in the wild place
where stomachs growl
and teeth chomp.
It is the same with Blues —
low crooning twang
taking you down
into the satisfying
soothing ooze
of deep brine.
©Wendy Mulhern
September 20, 2013