Poetry, An Affinity with Sheep and other poems

Apple

What is it to be an apple?

One needs form of course,

a roundness, certainly,

time to grow, swell, sweeten.

Patience, that goes without saying.

And dedication to push the skin

to the very point of bursting,

yet holding firm, bending the bough

A sense of pride is useful with

the merest hint of bashfulness

to bring a little blush – so appealing.

A generosity to give of your

juices, as Eve to Adam did

And finally, a sacrificial deed,

allowing sharp teeth to sink

into crisp outer skin,

sensual inner flesh.