i feel nuts
pistachios ground atop the halawat
a fine fluffy grain, green
pistachios were once for parties
now pistachios are always praying

i feel nuts
walnuts mashed, stuffed inside
baklawa, uniform in a tray
a dizzying array
to really see, for the first time, this diamond army

i feel nuts
cashews spike the rice
browned, buttery, bastards
cashews are not nuts, they are seeds
shaped like the tears they cry

i feel nuts
pecans sprout from the earth around me
supreme southern seascape of pecans
i learned to read from pecans
i know your stories, pecans, let me tell you mine

i feel nuts
because i am nuts
i am all these nuts
there is no other way to be.