shellfish

lay it wholly on small ices in preparation

let its motions cease

splay the members easily though with care

not to mark or damage the outer casing

it has no exact plastron or carapace

though proximal seams may be discerned

have a care for these for they may be easily split

to mar the appearance and quality

the first incision must be through the abdominal sea-wall

to reveal any eggs or splendifera

which must be removed whole

to be replaced later beyond the papering

apply therefore the luxator to break the fixations

or restraining ligaments that bind the genital core

to the aliment and sloop

lift it whole from the bedding

place it in the thoracic cavity: the glans

and intestes, the throat sickness and the urbane follicle

if any vivacity remains it will quickly fade now

as feathers fall from an exploding dove

these congruent diversions are vital

if the operation is to evoke the requisite peppery fluids

if the fields of slow armagnac night are to be elicited

from the brachial cogs and genitives

of the body-slick

now with a dream-snap fold in the limbs to the centre

covering in entirety the 'facial' area in forgiveness

capture them there with folds of brightness

and shattered ropes of culinary grade

do this with assertion and a sorte of nakednesse

brake here the entire organism with slow heat

until he effervesces with blue alacrity

in serving, crack the shell and pour as a solid liquid

into salvers or weighty crocks

as glass or otherwise lead

apply such ritual as is seemly

such is the preparation and the serving of the large shellfish

..