Sage – Barb Reynolds

I once picked sage with my Native American friend
who later had an affair with my first wife
right after—or maybe before—our wedding.
I remember her saying, take only
as much as you need, and only a little
from each plant. Be grateful
as you clip.

As I stand here now, eating blueberries off the bush
in my yard, not having thought of that
in twenty years, I wonder how many sacred hedges
she’s clipped from, and if she was ever grateful.
If she ever realized it was she
who took too much.

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