The Boldhearts climbed the kimchitree using peppered-gnarl

ladders. They knew where to look in the tree’s deepmost center,

pushed aside the golden bark to reach within. The kimchi gleamed

like buried rubies, and the Boldhearts drove wanting hands inside.

They brought out flavors by the fistful, lightcrisp, deeprooted. Crammed

them into their mouths– gutteral ancient pleasures that sparked each to

liveliness as the juices dripped down gleeful chins. Yess- the Boldhearts

quenched and whole, ready to rejoin the worldly river on hollowed

cabbage boats, in slender carrots bobbing gently in the brine.