Cherry Tomatoes
for H.L.T.

words fit in her mouth and in her sister’s
as if they were delicious
as if words had shape, had taste

as if they were out to savor every one,
every bit, every bite

words in the mouths of people about her
about this place, about town, to chew up
and spit out

what a meal her sister and she make of language
be it English or our Creole

shape and taste are given emphasis
a little bitter when her sister speaks

a judge, years on the bench
sweeter when she feasts upon the words
of the court or of the street

what elasticity, how ripe words are in her mouth
sea grapes, dillies, hog plums, scarlet plums
guineps, coco plums

mangoes she likes to peel and eat as well

names of things, nouns, adjectives, adverbs
are fruit as well—as filling, as succulent to her

I am not in the class she’s in, socially
among the poor instead

but tied because, like her, I love the taste of words
love breaking them apart
to get at the almond, at the meaning


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2009
5:20 a.m. 03.08.09