on the package of kettle corn

that we got

on our way back home

at a gas station

in the middle of nowhere 

the first ingredient is sugar

which we laugh at because

shouldn’t the first ingredient

of popcorn be corn

shouldn’t the first ingredient

of anything be what it is

then it can be followed by

what is added to it

but as I think about this more

I wonder if corn is in fact

the true first ingredient

perhaps

we might have to go

to the beginning of the universe

to find the first ingredient

for didn’t everything

start from that

perhaps every ingredient list

should start with the big bang

and then weave itself

through all of history

until the corn

or perhaps

we should just enjoy

what is here now

the sweetness

that you put a piece of popcorn

in my mouth as I drive

Alexander Shalom Joseph is an award-winning poet, writer and playwright from Gilpin County, and is the author of seven published books. You can find his work and more information about him at alexandershalomjoseph.com.