Morning Lettuce

Morning Lettuce

Start with a simple substitution: let’s take lettuce
for sunlight. Now, imagine the bright morning lettuce
scattering through the trees, angling its warm
fronds across the back porch, spreading
a leafy comfort through your kitchen window.
Imagine how it feels, the lettuce, on your cheekbones
as you lean over the sink— eyes half closed against
its soft but still crunchy glare— pouring
a first steaming cup of coffee into a vegetable-lit mug.
See the sparkling lettuce on the surface
of the coffee as you lift your reflected face up
toward your own face until your lips meet and kiss,
and you take in that first sweet sip
in the kitchen all lit up green with morning lettuce.

(KZ 2017)