{A song for salt}

spilling the sacred grains
she throws some over her shoulder
the cat jumps

waves lap at the beach
pushing a frond of seaweed up and back
across the crusted shells

a winter storm has kept him inside
but this morning he must seek groceries --
heavy boots crunch down the front steps

the water in the pan boils ever higher:
before the brussel sprouts
a few grains of salt to quiet it

your words, usually so savory on my tongue
suddenly harsh, accompanied by a slam
and the slow afterburn of old wounds

		-acm (1/98)