And I said because it is bitter

and because it is my heart

And I said because I love the bitter

Won’t drink the wine till

it’s turned almost to vinegar

and worship pickled fish

and crunch the bones

and avoid the plum fruit

till it is nine days old

And I said because it is bitter

because it is my bitter

slightly salted heart

and tastes like bitter warm

wine gushing from a spring

the townspeople thought was dry

and it’s bitter and because it is my heart.