Rules for Eating Pistachios–Published in Volume 9 of A Year in INK
Pistachios
Fresh from the co-op
In a pottery bowl shaped by an artistic friend
He’s now a dentist
His new art, crowns and dentures
Don’t crack shells with your teeth!
Gorging
I make a rule for myself:
I may savor the salty insides
‘til empty shells fill my palm
If a shell falls
I cease my feast
I pry open another nut
A single shell falls to the floor
But if I am careful
My palm could cradle more
Rule revision:
I retrieve the shell back to my palm
Pick apart another pistachio
And another
I will my hand to hold one more,
Coax open a reluctant nut
Shells splatter to the floor
My palm is empty
The bowl of pistachios isn’t
Rules be damned!
The Poetry and Prose of Barbara Huntington 
What a fun read! Congratulations on your publication Barb!
Thank you. I read it at the release party. It is a fun one to read!
Thank you. I need to get this up to date
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