Saving pepper

That powder gives a kick
to any carbonara; until
you pass out, it sits
gently on your stomach
like a bird.

Saving pepper, saving pepper,
lace your meals with something sharper

The tincture in the coffee-coloured bottle
smells of beer. You'll dream
of taverns like taverns should be,
as your nerves knot,
and what begins as a shiver
shatters you.

Saving pepper, saving pepper,
cooking for a faithless lover

These leaves sprung
from the suntrap in my garden.
Mint's twin to look at, zesty
on the nose. They'll hit
your bloodstream like highwaymen,
ransack the oxygen
and be gone again
before you can draw more.

Saving pepper, saving pepper,
why use spice when this works better?
We'll make economies where we please.
Save your pepper to make the damned hangman sneeze.