The Sand Hill Review          http://www.sandhillreview.org                   2003

 

 

Potato Mantra

 

In the English language, the sound of the noun

is the object. The peaked vowel

surrounded by two puckers of the lips

is the middle and two ends of something

very plain, very basic.

 

Your name or at least your translation of it

can be as simple. Try placing

your fingers to your mouth as you

speak Po-Ta-To. Now

do the same and say your name.

 

See? The mouth moves both times.

The air slips from the lips,

affirming life.

You are calling yourself

when you call for these dusky tubers.

 

Answer them with each day.

 

Janice Dabney