I have always
enjoyed the taste
of the exotic
ripe plums
red strawberries
the blood red flesh
of the orange
the sweet tang
of fresh wine
pressed between
the feet of small
women in wooden barrells
my mother
she warned me to
be careful
some food
is dangerous
she said
some food
takes you
places
you never
come back
from
I listened
as any good
daughter should
yet when he
showed me
his palm
carrying
that seed
I could not
refuse
I have tasted
death
I have tasted
life
both are bitter
both are sweet