Celebrating a Cypress

Juniperus communis

by Joan Gibson

juniper smoke saining a new year in
an ancient medicine
jenever fortifying dutch courage to win
 the dry london processing of savin
with various botanicals therein
berries of juniperus and citrus skin
tonic, ice and lemon the linchpin
the raj sugared bitter quinine with gin
mother’s solace, maudlin heroine
heart of the cocktail hour – no sin
now additional aromatics begin
a gin evolution a la Darwin
gin for joying,
gin for ageing
whatever,  whenever, GIN.