Lemon Verbena

How can lemon rind fit
so nicely in a leaf;
jagged little eye-shaped
rough fragment
of grown, green parchment
borne on tall, craggy stems.

I grew some in my window
once, it pushed its way
through stouter tropicals;
a persistent, woody stalk
branching out thinly,
hungry for deep sun.

The first time I tried it
it mellowed me like cbd
but subtler, gentler.
It was an unsweet lemon candy
that needed no sugar.
The hint of bitterness was perfect,
I thought.

The leaves are as rugged as
bay leaves, they need no
bag to contain them
only a spoon to remove them
once soggy.

I bought a big bag
at a farmer's market.
Not quite as vibrant as fresh
but a close second
and I'm hooked up for a while
to contemplate growing
more.

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