Monday, May 10, 2021

southern maryland

the crabs
would be piled up on
newspapers
aligned on the picnic table
facing
the water
rainbowed with oil
patches.
a pyramid of steamed
crabs.
hammers set beside
each pile
of thin napkins.
chisels. pliers.
a bowl of butter.
a bowl of vinegar.
beer for everyone
in golden pitchers.
baskets of hush puppies
deep fried
to curb the hunger as
small slivers
of reluctant crab meat
were released
from legs
and torsos.
it was a long day of 
bloodied fingers,
an exhausting six hour
meal
leaving you hungry still.

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