Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that
may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.
You do not need a knife or fork or spoon
or plate or napkin or tablecloth.
For there is no core
or stem
or rind
or pit
or seed
or skin
to throw away.
-Eve Merriam
I remember this from our website poetry?
ReplyDeleteThe way she writes through the pieces of the plant, of the poem, is remarkable...nothing to throw away. You take a poem, always, as it is in its whole.
Dang, I didn't remember this one, and it's a good one.
ReplyDeleteI'd change it to how to eat a "good poem" because not every poem is so ripe. Some poems require tools (dictionary, allusions, background info, etc.). But overall just enjoy the poem for the sweet fruit it offers. And best of all it's there waiting whenever we are ready