and dreaming of artichokes
realistically

with fine threads
and coarse skin

otherwise this
winter might

devour me, at night
looking up spreads

muhammara, peppers,
roasted red, Aleppo,

the roughest cut
of salt, cumin

earthy as dirt,
rude scallions, but

in just the right
amount, tempered,

a counterpoint,
what lasts?

rehearsals for
the inevitable,

blue-blooded kale
and enough lemons

to drown out
the world, citrus

affront, oil
and pith, shock,

doctrine, if life
gives, you make