Abalone Poem by Jeffrey Yang

Abalone Rumsen aulón
Aristotle auriform Costanoans
cultivated, Brueghel painted,
awabi Osahi dove for
on September 12, 425 A. D.
to please Emperor Ingyō but
was pulled up dead with one clutched in his hand.
Iridescent pearl, nebular swirl, meat all muscle
tastes like rubber. Its gonads a delicacy. Now
universities are funded to study its armor.
All earthly roads lead to war. But remember
haliotis are hemophiliacs - once cut
they bleed to death. Watch your heart.