Black seed in hand            Nightshade perhaps,                deadly, dark                             or bittersweet.            Poison precipitated                             in etched vials,                             misty corridors,                             intrigue.            Solanaceous, stromonium                slips silkily                across the tongue.            Or mandrake, belladonna,                     henbane,                infusions, incantations                for pain                    or pleasure.                    Maybe capiscum pepper,                ground, sprinkled,                hot and racy.            Nah, it’s petunia as usual.       Rites of Spring, Pecan Grove Press