Solstice Stew
by Wade Martin


bring out the mushrooms from May
celery from the upper field in April
June tomatoes ripened and ready
bit of hare from July’s fortnight past

the flavor must peak like firecrackers
approach the zenith with an archer’s care
boar of the stars lend me your musk
this stew was meant for mouths of gods

broth will boil into a galaxy
potatoes delineate gravitational pulls
each clove of basil is a virgin star
drowning in the steaming night

simmer until high noon
stir with a freshly broken mesquite branch
spill some out for the local stray cat
sleep while digesting to ensure full potency






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