for Pablo Neruda
Look at you sprawling sloppily
across the lower garden
your oversized leaves drooping
after the first fall rains
signalling it's time
to gather in those fleshy stems
that I so love for their astringency
their sweetly bitter taste
so delicious chunked and baked
in pie or cobbler
all summer you've been quick to advertise
your thirst by wilting overnight
if we forgot to water you
and so we worked
to keep you healthy and alive
you've done us proud
now you can count on us
to help you make
that final leap up to the table
to fulfill at last
your culinary destiny