He Doesn't Taste Squash

He doesn't taste
Squash

Baked
Pureed
Sauteed

He doesn't taste
Squash

He tastes

Dirt

Waste

Of chickens
Of rabbits
Of worms

He turns it
With his tongue

His arms burn

He re-turns
Rows of earth
With his hands
In his mind

No matter how bland
He tastes
Salt
Of sweat

No matter how savory
The juice
Of earth's fruit

He tastes
The rain

Filling roots
Leaves
Shoots
Stems

And fruit

Surrounding seed
Chance
Again for
Roots
Leaves
Shoots
Stems

Squash

He tastes not the dish
But is more thankful
For food
Than those who
Chew
Mouths full

As each bite enters his

He prays
For those
Without