Wine Tasting on the Planet Ufahamu*

Vintage from green exograpes of a genetically superior vine:

aroma of berries with a hint of rot

notes of burnt homes, metal chains, and vanilla

barren, nihilistic mouth feel

with a self-loathing finish

Vintage from blood-red exograpes of a shade-grown vine:

aroma of coffee with a hint of tear gas

notes of anguish, bitter losses, and citrus

silky shameful mouth feel

with a déjà vu finish

Vintage from purple exograpes of a full sun-grown vine:

aroma of peach with a hint of reflux

notes of bruised ego, acceptance, and allspice

smooth satisfactory mouth feel

with a clarity finish

*”Ufahamu” is Swahili for “understanding” or “awareness.”

~ Miguel O. Mitchell, Dreams and Nightmares 117;

2022 Rhysling Award nominee, Long Poem category