Be prepared to sweat,
to covet glass after glass of water
or beer, to rejoice in momentary
poultry deliciousness. Be prepared
to need a shower before letting
your hands go near your eyes.
Be prepared to cry, or at least look
like it—be prepared to smile,
at first, out of delight. Be prepared
to notice a fire radiating out
from your core. Be prepared to suffer
1st degree burns at the corners.
Be prepared to inhale the sides—
collard greens and beans,
white bread soaked cayenne red
to sop up the toxicity in your intestines.
Be prepared to need recuperation,
so stay close to your home.
Be prepared to curse and moan,
then— let me warn you—
be prepared to want more.
Can't believe I made it to 17! The picture I'm going to post with this was also taken by my friend Jill Block. She and I were working on an East Nashville Photo/poetry essay, but I never wrote the poems, so now I'm working on it.
ReplyDeleteMmm. Hot chicken. What a great project, Caroline! Thanks for telling me about it.
ReplyDeleteI *love* the pictures with the poems! You must send this to the restaurant. I think it's the best piece of advertising I've ever read, and fun poetry, too. I love "Be prepared
ReplyDeleteto need a shower before letting
your hands go near your eyes"
and how you graduate to first degree burns.
Yummy!
Yes, I think Bolton's would LOVE to have this as a marketing tool. Send it to them! However, if it's really that hot, I am not sure I would concur with the last line of your poem. I am SO not a spicy person! :)
ReplyDelete