THE BEET

The beet grew up out of the ground
Its leafy fingers raised towards the sun
Its ripe red earth belly
Is growing rounder and juicier by the day
I watered and watched
As it ripened and expanded above the ground
Its belly resting on the brown soil
When it was two inches around the middle
I pulled it up out of the ground
Surprised by the length of the root
That had held it there
Thankful,
I took it into the kitchen,
Washed and cut it
It stained my fingers and the cutting board
Red
Then I sauteed it in a pan
And mixed it into my salad
Everything it touched
Was left with a bit of its color
With some of its beautiful red earthy life
Including me