Fried Oysters

By Clara Blair

Sometimes an oyster is just an oyster,
But these are a blissful surprise!
Golden crisp outside, delicate liquid inside.
Salty sweet fresh earthy – primordial
Taste of the sea pure and light.

Usually just pricey seafood,
On the half-shell, fried or in gumbo,
Part of a “Fisherman’s Platter,”
More batter than shellfish, with fries.
Quite different poached gently in milk.

Misunderstood mollusks,
Guileless gastropods, blameless bivalves,
Purest expression of the ocean’s bounty,
Touted as aphrodisiacs.
With this batch, that could be true!

© 2002 Clara Blair