MIRACLE FRUIT poems by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Dorset, Vermont: Tupelo Press, 2003

Lewis and Clark Disagree

Because Merriwether ate the last berry
without consulting William. Because

the prairie dog only let William feed
it dried corn. Because the Nez Perce

gave one a necklace of purple quartz
and not the other. Because osage oranges

gave Merriwether hives. Because a grizzly
chased William into an oak tree, left him

high for hours. Because "Someone" tucked
buffalo chips into Merriwether's knapsack

when he wasn't looking. Because after walking,
rowing, swimming, climbing, trotting, pulling,

cutting, all they really wanted was a name
for a fruit one found sour, the other, so sweet.

© Aimee Nezhukumatathil