Bruised leaves beneath soles
green this morning lemon-brushed
on the edges:
a plant named for
the mother of bees
should sting the tongue
similar to sorrel,
and does not:
but be careful in foraging:
the difference in scent
between chervil and hemlock
blurs between parsley and parsnip
some poisons are palatable, sweeten
the difference between dream and dying
slender as the space
between heartbeats.
***Not calling lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) poison, though it can be a mild sedative. This came out of a conversation with Ray Max. Reminded me of a few other dicey herbal choices some people have made, and not deliberately, like our teacher Socrates.
Susan Daniels Poetry 
I never knew Melissa was a plant! Very cool – and educational. 🙂
Thanks, Holly! I grow it in my garden to tempt the bees to visit–they love it. Guess that’s why they named it after Melissa 😉
Very nice, interesting poem. Is the picture of Lemon Balm?
Yes, it is. I have loads in my garden, but the picture is from Pinterest.
as always – delightful
Thank you, Paul. The next “herbal” poem l write will have to have basil in it!
my sense are awake now. beautiful.
Oh, thank you!
Food to die for?
Just the hemlock. (and supposedly sorrel, in HUGE amounts).. From what I can tell, it looks exactly like chervil. From what I have heard/read, though, hemlock tastes as nasty as what it will do to you. Came out of a conversation about poisonous plants.
Beautiful write–I love the world in your eyes
Audrey, thank you!
some poisons are palatable, sweeten
the difference between dream and dying
slender as the space
between heartbeats.
Deep truth, Susan in more ways than one. A wonderful poem, as always 🙂
Celestine, thank you. I have encountered some of those palatable poisons 😉