Apple Ass

Apple Ass
~ Lessons from the Gullah Isles ~
 
Ol' Man Jess had been barkin' somethin' awful
Sounds of a bay hound who's lost the scent
But none of his thrist
Just plain vexed he was
 
I peeked in on him
He was bowed for his morning call
"Fall to your knees before God
so you don't live there before men"
 
His Daddy taught him that
And he taught me
 
"You heatin' my apple ass woman?"
That's what he called it
 
To us it was just plain apple cider vinegar
I liked mine with honey
 
To Ol' Man Jess it was ass
And he knew ass
Horse ass
Mule ass
Dog ass
Hog ass
Chicken ass
Mrs. Johnson, the deacon's wife, her ass too
He'd beaten or slaughtered it all
 
But on this conjured cool crisp Carolina morning
Mixed with fragrances of frost and forgiveness
He craved apple cider vinegar
 
His batch was special
Flavored with pungent garlic and green onions
from her garden
And a bit of ginger
 
"Smells like ass and looks like shit"
He'd smile crookedly 
Drank it 
Let it linger on his throat
 
My mouth hurt just watching 
 
Mornin' chores, ass
Afternoon chores, more ass
Evenin' chores, still more ass
 
Sun's been chased away by the rooster
And the broken glass has left the ol' hound's throat
Prances and preens like a pup
 
He announces he's going for "an evein' walk"
I look at her and she's thinking what I am
 
Hopefully the deacon's home