The Poetry Sisters’ challenge this month was to write “…a poem in which we literally build and/or take apart something – large or small. Our focus will be on constructing or deconstructing, taking into account technical terms, instructions, and perhaps even material sources.”
I’m not usually a fan of food that needs to be deconstructed on my plate (bone-in chicken, Maryland crabs, shrimp that still have their tails). But I’ll make an exception for fresh mussels. Yum.
Here’s what the others made of this month’s challenge:
Liz @ Liz Garton Scanlon
Tanita @ {fiction, instead of lies}
Laura @ Laura Purdie Salas
Tricia @ The Miss Rumphius Effect
Carol has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup at Beyond LiteracyLink.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Love your poem even though I’m allergic to shellfish. So lyrical and great use of alliteration, and what a great ending! Have been vicariously enjoying your Scotland adventures, the wildness and elemental nature of your time there.
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I love that your “construction” includes information on how the mussels themselves began, how the aquaculture shaped the cradle that the tide spewed them into, so they could grow. This sounds like it was a delightful meal for all the senses.
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Mary Lee, I am so hungry now! The mussels in the picture look delicious, and your savory poem makes me want to grab a tiny fork of my own!
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Ooh…l love mussels! And I love your last line — “thoroughly imbuing me with Scotland” — it gushes.
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I think the thing I love about this most, Mary Lee, is how small and particular it is (enfolding gilled and footed filter feeders) AND how big and contextualized (the aquaculture… the substrate.. Scotland). This is lovely!
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Love how your poem shows the construction and deconstruction. Plus, now I’m hungry – your details are delicious!
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Writing (deconstructing) a memory of a wonderful trip brought by one tasty meal is a great thing, Mary Lee. Among all that you’ve shared about your trip, this brings all the senses home! I love that you included the fishermen, too!
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I find this poem to be perfection–and delicious. All your descriptions of how the mussels are eaten by you from anticipation to thanks are delightful. I’m jealous of your trip to Scotland. I hope you write more about it.
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I love “imbuing me with Scotland!” Yes, I’m not a fan of food I have deconstruct either. Those Maryland crabs are a MESS! We used to go to a crab house near my mother-in-law’s that just was NOT worth it to me. The only thing worth it–Maine lobster.
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Mary Lee, you created a wonderful poem with the construction and destruction phase. It also is one that makes me hungry. Scotland inspired you!
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Oh, you’ve put together so many things I love — the crazy deliciousness of mussels, Scotland (on my bucket list), the background behind the food you are eating and loving, the gratitude for the many strands that came together to put you in this moment. I love this, Mary Lee!
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