Three Shots
I pour a tall shot,
three ounces of Tarantula,
then cut a thick wedge of lime.
Giving it a lick,
the base of my hand is prepared
for the requisite salt dash.
All is ready now:
My salted hand, a shot, and lime.
I pause and take a quick breath.
When I was younger,
the shot would have been Cuervo Gold
or something equally harsh.
I am older now,
and have learned that a tequila
needn’t be a punishment.
Lips to salted hand,
I lick, anticipating now
the mix of flavours coming.
The shot glass tipped back,
tequila spreads across my tongue
and then I swallow slowly.
Biting the lime wedge,
my center fills with spreading warmth
and I prepare the next shot.
