Shucking Oysters

When I was young

I lacked the tools

Necessary for the shucking

Of oysters

My first attempt

Was a mockery

A mess most

Literally and neither I

Nor she

Was fed or eaten

We tangled for hours

Yin and Yin

Or

Yang and Yang

And then gave up

I went to bed hungry

It was Erica who gave me

My first working method

Slowly gently pry apart the shell

She said

There is the heart

The sweet meat

But it cannot be taken

It must be coaxed

So I coaxed

And coaxed

And coaxed and coaxed

And then

I was fed

I went to bed happy

Understanding the

Rewards

Now I pluck meat from shell with

Grace

Having eatenoysters at every restaurant

I have ever been to

I eat to my fill but it cannot compare

Not to that first bite

That first bit of heaven

That thrilled

And filled

And changed me.