The King of Spices

It’s in the shaker, Sitting on your table, Use more pepper, If you are able.

oh wondrous pepper!

born in Kerala, South India &

said to be “the king of spices”---

that which goes with practically any food,

that which does all that it can to bring excitement to the tongue---

spawned from the piper nigrum whose

berries once picked, then dried,

become implements of savory goodness,

brought on by the explosive oils inside whose

wild nature bears for us

everything from

anti-oxidants to

antiseptics &

what a debt we owe to you,

for you have made many otherwise horrible tasting foods

tolerable,

you have been that last ingredient to change up things &

add a dash of interest into

an otherwise routine

cuisine---

we sit at your feet,

great peppercorn, ground to perfection &

ready to

eat.