the collector

you are a collector
of condiments.
the narrow bottles of ketchup,
two on the shelf. both
near empty.
mayo in a fat jar,
wasabi mayo
in a smaller jar
with a green label.
then there are the hot
sauces.
texas pete, tabasco,
some others, random gifts,
from some hot sauce
lovers.
the names obscured by
smudges of red.
mustard.
yes. there is mustard.
spicy, yellow, dark.
one now with blue cheese
infused in its
brine based mix. what were
you thinking?
we must talk about he pickles
too.
a lovely collection
of sweet gherkins,
butter pickles.
the fat dills,
the sour ones in a yellow
broth, cold
on the lower rack, sitting
next to the jellies
and jams.
how many berries are there
in the world?
you've only just begun
with them.
then there are the squat
soldiers of soy sauce.
some in bottles,
others saved from ancient
chinese deliveries in small clear
packets. safe and sound with
their hot mustard friends
in the place
where butter should be.
but the main collection
is of salad dressings.
pear vinaigrette, French,
blue cheese, oil and vinegar,
ranch and honey mustard, just
to name a few. some new,
some used, some never
to be opened by anyone.