Yerba Mate

| Featured in Enjambed’s 2022 Publication |

My mom hollows out the grapefruit and the mist of citrus makes me smile;

the scent is strong like summer heat, and I welcome its acidic tang,

but the grapefruit is not as popular as the orange or lemon

For many, its bitter flavor can be too commanding

My mom shows me how to put the mate into the fruit

and she adds a sprinkle of sugar

Not too much, she says 

She carefully sticks the metal straw into our makeshift cup 

Her steady hand holds the battered red kettle

Out pours a steady stream of hot water

She hands the fruit to me; try it, she says 

The metal straw is hot between my lips and I take a small sip

The drink slightly burns my mouth

But in the earthy tea and sugary fruit, I taste Argentina

I nod and take another sip. This time its cooler 

My mom smiles and we go to sit down, enjoying the mate

A small reminder of home and family