“Oysters” poem by Tara Simonetta

Oysters

poem by Tara Simonetta

Slimy
Slippery
Sliding off the half shell into my uncle’s mouth
“Tastes like watermelon,” he says
As he throws the shell back onto the beach.

Scrape
Crash
Oysters fall into the bucket
Barnacles bursting
Calcium grinding
A knife through the shell
“do you want the muscle?”
Salty
Watermelon of the sea.

Rumble
Roar
Start your engines, up the dirt road.
Bubbling water, blistering oven
Bacon, HP, teriyaki, molten butter.
Tonight, we feast like kings.

Chew
Crunch
“Is that a pearl?”
The feast has ceased
Empty shells
Back to the beach.