Tamarind

I saw the tamarind

packaged and labeled

in the Ranch Market.

It's exotic in provenance,

a few pods

at a high price.

I had to buy

for the condiment.

But I hated it.

In my childhood,

near my home,

stood an enormous

tamarind tree,

which bore

thousands of fruits.

As the gale ruffled it,

pods littered the ground,

for us to pick.

We got baskets full.

My mother made pickles

and other recipes.

Nature gave us

what we needed.

We didn’t buy it.

It wasn’t paid.

Not all changes

are healthy and good.