In South Louisiana
We eat our oysters raw
Using the half shell as a spoon.We take our freedom
In the open air
And consider it a boon.The oyster shell is dirty
-- and clamped shut so tight
It takes a lot of force and skill
-- to open up the shell just right.The oyster is opened live
-- it struggles against the knife
But when its muscle's severed
-- it gives up its gentle life.Freed by coercion of its spirit
-- the oyster's body lies
A delicacy to be consumed
-- by the scion of the skies.Oysters all we human beings
-- confront the coercive will
That would dispatch our spirit
-- leaving US freedom on the half shell.
This material is COPYRIGHTED (C) 1998 21st Century Education, Inc