Okra King

“. . . the divine fact of okra . . .”

James Dickey

Who is this man, “The Okra King,”

High-blazoning his title, his royalty

On van-flank, on truck’s side for markets far,

On lug and crate and railroad car?

To this self-appointed Aga of Okra

Who would crown himself and assume reign,

Be potentate, seize omnipotence over

The lowly pod of the cotton cousin in sale,

Sovereign of gumbo, of vegetable caviar,

I bend the knee. All hail!