first inhale haze
peppercorn laden
atop oil mala slick

when your friend coughs
fanning spiced air
say it’s not that bad
hold your chopsticks
hold the cough in your throat
you are good at holding things

in go beef slices, 涮羊肉
plunge them deep
as eldest daughters raised in the image of sons
the best things are forged in fire

curse this palate
revealing your deficiencies
capsaicin cravings prove
you lack yang
     masculine energy
you have always lacked

time’s up
pull the meat from red seas
heat is sacred
swallow it
whole