Another History of the Bean

Thoreau hoed his 24,750 bean plants

from 5 A.M. till noon each day.

I cannot say the furry little things

are worth the effort, though they

have their own charms when

Chinese-restaurant green

or flavored with bread crumbs

and garlicky butter.

My mother always warned me

against my passion for the slick beans

at the top of a newly-opened can,

but I’m still here and Thoreau is not.

He only lasted 26 months at Walden,

and I’m still levering open tins,

still savoring those first slick fruits.

There are no rules

when it comes to love.

— Carol Hamilton