Tuesday Poem: Sharing the Apple

Sharing the Apple

You know the story: Eve

and all her charms, that sweet allure

beyond resistance. Even so, Adam lived —

ripely — to the age of 930.

But who could deny that sizzle?  — You

certainly do not refuse

when I extend my hand, apple-full,

my contribution to decadence

savored since Eden.

And biting in, the flavor

a shiver of surprise. You offer

the apple back, and I accept.

Bite for bite we pass

the ephemeral fruit from hand

to hand, conscious of the hunger

created by this simple act:

your mouth, mine.

And later, all our sugars dissolved,

the trailing of core and seed

scattered, I'll recall

how you met me full-lipped

and greedy for that first surrender,

first taste of temptation.

© T. Clear 1999
originally appeared in Heliotrope