It came in large white flakes
like hardened Ivory Snow
And I loved to ask the clerk
behind the counter
at Cutlers Pharmacy
for a quarter pound
of gum tragacanth please
as though asking simply 
for a jar of Vicks Vapo Rub

Inevitably
I was asked to repeat
so I got to say
that wonderful name again
gum tragacanth
My tongue savoring its final thrust

Of course the clerk
would have to call to the pharmacist
making it so much more mysterious
while I wondered if they wondered
what we used it for

I well knew
It was a key ingredient
for a fine finish
on the magnificent sandals
my parents so carefully created

And I would skip down the sidewalk
back to the shop
brandishing the small brown bag
containing a quarter pound of

gum tragacanth (skip)
gum tragacanth (hop)
gum tragacanth (skip)

rhythm to the steps
of a nine year old
so proud to be the only kid in town
to know the word

tragacanth
tragacanth
tragacanth