Ode to Winter-Worm Summer-Grass

You once were a caterpillar, pupating in the ground

Up in Tibet with the snow all around.

But then you ate up or breathed in something funny

Now you are dry and worth lots of money.

That something inside you, it started to grow.

It very much killed you, as you probably know.

What once was your body is now mummified

by that wee fungus that grew from inside.

That fungus, it grew from the top of your brain

but it didn't hurt because you no longer feel pain.

It sprouted in summer and broke through the earth

To shed more wee spores--in essence, give birth.

Then perhaps some Tibetan or some Chinese friend

Helped from the soil your body ascend.

For you have the ability to help and to cure

So many ailments, no one knows what for sure.

Here you are now, as my honored guest.

But I must insist, I have but one request:

Please take your little, but expensive troop

And get your medicinal selves out of my soup.

(Have I been served this in soup?  Yes.  Have I eaten one?  Would you?)