by Mike Mesterton-Gibbons

“Japan’s farm minister resigns over rice gaffe, as stubbornly high [rice] prices
threaten government’s grip on power”
—CNN

I failed to ease
The rise in price
For Japanese
Who buy their rice—
And said I own
Enough to sell
(In stockpiles grown
From gifts). I fell
Upon my sword.
No protocol
Can be ignored.
A sushi pol
Whose pas is faux
Could not remain:
My gaffe would go
Against the grain.