freshly picked cherries in blue glass bowl
I’m reminded of that board game,
the one I played as a
child –
except I think it involved
apples, not
cherries.
These specimen are
perfect
for plucking.
We’re told not to
pull the branches but,
of course,
we do.
The stems, also, are
supposed to stay
on the tree.
Just the cherries,
naked,
fill the red buckets
to the brim.
One, two, three
at a time they
drop
gently
into my grip.
Even, occasionally, they
pop
into
my mouth.
That ancient snake
could have gained
so much more –
these ruby globes,
with their staining nectar,
illicit
sin
far more than
Granny Smith
ever could.
I bring home
two pounds of fruit.
I know not what for.
The art of bounty,
perhaps?
Placed on the table
just so.
Or the fantasy of baking
for my man,
if I had one?
Far more likely,
it’s a vain attempt to
capture
summer in the
pit
of my stomach
and
never
let it
go.
On behalf of One Shot Wednesday.
Claudia Schönfeld
/ June 22, 2011cherries are one of my fav fruits as well..and so true…they are far more kind of sensual than a Granny Smith could ever be…love the line with capturing summer in the stomach with them…beautiful
emmajames
/ June 22, 2011Claudia: Thank you for the thumbs up. And I completely agree – apples just don’t give off any sort of sexy vibe, poor things.
kelly
/ June 22, 2011love, love love. perfect imagery!
emmajames
/ June 22, 2011Kelly: I seriously may pass out from reading your comment. Coming from you, it means the world. Thank you.
Raivenne
/ June 22, 2011Cherries for me are more eponymous with summer than even peaches. Their rich deep red is indeed near sinful in hue and oh how it beckons!!
Enjoy the fruits of your labor and live summer one sweet juicy cherry at a time..
emmajames
/ June 22, 2011Raivenne: Oh, exactly! And thank you, I hope you enjoy your season to the same degree – may it be ripe and bursting with flavor!
Alana
/ June 22, 2011Gorgeous.
emmajames
/ June 22, 2011Alana: Merci beaucoup. xo
Ayala
/ June 22, 2011Cherries on the table or baked in a pie- delicious !
emmajames
/ June 22, 2011Ayala: Exactly – so different and yet both fabulous, especially when just picked!
dustus
/ June 22, 2011Love that “pit” pun! Granny Smith line made me chuckle. Very well written. Cherries are way better than apples. smiles.
emmajames
/ June 22, 2011Dustus: Oh, I’m so glad you appreciated that!
I must admit to a wee (huge) amount of glee at being able to slip that word choice in there. I love it when things like that happen – makes me seem much more clever than I am.
Rajlakshmi
/ June 23, 2011I just love the way you have written it… and the last verses of capturing summer is totally awesome
enjoyed reading 
emmajames
/ June 23, 2011Rajlakshmi: Oh, thank you tons! If only I could keep summer captured forever – it is so fleeting…