June 23*

some part of my body
some mysterious alchemic
               current of physiology
binding strength, protection
comes from her

many months ago
pricking cold soil with
smooth pearly-hard cloves
waiting, knowing through winter
watching the pale curl of sprouts
snipping out the slugs each morning
patient
then pulling, sorting, cleaning
bagging, braiding, powdering

offering as garlic
every farmer’s market
until we are all stocked
and well

*Copyright 2010 by Luther Allen. This poem appears in The View from Lummi Island.
. . . . .
photo by Jonathunder