Fruit Basket
When fruit hangs low and
swollen from the bramble,
does it know how many
bright beady eyes
are judging it,
as I know when I see
you narrow your gaze
and cock your
head at my remarks,
refilling my glass?
When fruit ripens
does it feel the sugar rush
to turn it from green to purple,
hard to soft and sweet
as I feel my blood pound through
from red to blue in the chambers
your key waits to unlock,
blushing in the face I cannot
keep secret and thin?
When fruit bursts
spreads out its seed profligate and pithy
dark against the succulent flesh,
does it feel the splitting,
the wet parting of self
into nothing
I feel when you breathe
your dangerous endearments,
your catnip questions
in my ear?
May 2011
Posted for OneShotWednesday at the inimitable OneStopPoetry
Image: Le Fruit, lithograph by Alfons Mucha, 1897
courtesy, wikimedia commons
Sexy the grape hangs pendulous, the blood engorges, the sugar rushes and passion abounds. Wonderful rendering of the metaphor in a great short piece, Joy. I loved it as always.
ReplyDeletegasp...this is highly sensual in a ripe, sweet and thick way...it leaves traces of lust on my tongue...loved it...
ReplyDeleteLadies, it's spring. Even old people can tell. ;-)
ReplyDeleteVery sensual piece and sensual done so well! "catnip questions" I adored that line! Nice work ~ Rose
ReplyDeletehummmm love that * wet parting of self
ReplyDeleteinto nothing*... You never cease to asyound me with your beautiful Works of art, HW.
man, why you got to judge the hanging fruit...all those eyes on it make it shy...just saying...
ReplyDeletehehe having a bit of fun as the sensual nature took me there....
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is evocative, tender and gently erotic. I love it. Thank you for sharing this remarkable poem. James.
ReplyDeleteBursting with sensuality...and thanks for the "CATNIP" plug ! LOL
ReplyDeleteHmmm if Bacchus had a lady I think these would be her sentiments
ReplyDeletea poem dripping from the vine with a unique turn
moonie
Okay, who are you and what have you done with Hedgewitch??? ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhoever you are, your poem is delightful. So rich and ripe! I love the ending, especially the "catnip questions."
Gosh, now I completely lost my place in my counted cross stitch!
bring on the spring
ReplyDeletebring on the lusty long afternoon
and do remember
to bring me some wine :)
This needs no picture to swell imagination, the words being full and plenty.
ReplyDeleteExcellent and very sensual which encompasses all of the earth the fruit full and fleshed, bursting ....a sugar rush at it finest...bkm
ReplyDeleteWow..sensuous and sexy! Loved it.. : )
ReplyDeletePS--I love your choice of Mucha!
ReplyDeleteOooh, this bursts with flavor...yummy yummy!
ReplyDeleteLuscious and sensual and enticing... love it!
ReplyDeleteFitting for spring. Provocative, evocative with teeming lushness, innuendo, and sensual imagery. I am also a fan of Mucha's drawings and illustrations; nice touch including it with a poem that can stand alone on its own merit.
ReplyDeleteSensual....spicy!
ReplyDeleteA verbal Georgia O'Keefe painting, full of sensual could-be's and probably-are's. Just great use of metaphor and even the feel of the words as they're spoken. Enjoyed this. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSo Freaking sensual!
ReplyDeleteFruit always gets the cool poems. No one says, "You are my bitter asparagus, your darling eyes are like squishy peas."
ReplyDeleteI tell you, vegetables got the shaft.
Spring not only sprung...It EXPLODED!
ReplyDeleteHedge....?
Eh...I better keep quiet!
Very HOT Poetry.....G
What can I say that others haven't? This is amazing. It is so gently written but it might be one of the most beautifully passionate poems I have ever read...
ReplyDelete... and I'm off to have me some wine! :)
ReplyDeleteSugar rush indeed, from both words and picture - delicious!
ReplyDeletegreat handling of the metaphor, subtle and bold at the same time, if that is possible.
ReplyDeleteA luscious feast for the senses! Extraordinary, bold and subtle seduction! Amazing poetic paradox!
ReplyDeleteoooh la la...a sensual delight.
ReplyDeleteLoved the poem!
Cheers
lovely =)
ReplyDeleteA riveting poem - the narrowed eyes, the lusciousness of every word and image........wow, Hedgewitch! You made me remember stuff I had forgotten!
ReplyDeleteGreat piece - it really flows along. It really draws the reader in.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gloriously sensuous piece - the inter-play of sexuality sets the nerves atingle!
ReplyDeleteMany many thanks all--I had a dreary and depressing poem I could have posted, but decided it could wait while I took a stroll down memory lane into the land of spring, sensuality and frivolity.
ReplyDelete@FB: if you were nearby you could check the basement for pods, but I think it's still me. Mucha was going to illustrate the dreary poem, and I just felt it was wrong to put him there, hence this.
@G-man: Fortunately, the last thing to go is the imagination.
@Matt: So sad but so true. Vegetables get no respect. And what could be more sensual and virile than a manly asparagus stalk, I ask? What more suggestive than a couple of adroitly placed cauliflowers? Perhaps next time..
Oh! what a LUSTY poem!! What a wonderful tribute to Spring and Lust.....
ReplyDeleteLOVED (and lusted after) this poem!
Lady Nyo....ripe, ripe, ripe, tis your poem....
wow hedge! very sensuous and ripe. if i was a grape would you squeeze me? (please!) love the introduction into the season. gotta go make sure my fruit didn't burst!
ReplyDeleteI've come back several times to this-- ripe, juicy language-- evocative and sure-- When fruit bursts
ReplyDeletespreads out its seed profligate and pithy
dark against the succulent flesh,-- of course I love "profligate and pithy"-- the sense of opening, expectancy in this poem. xxxj
Bring on my strawberry wine, and watch the apples of my cheeks ripen! lol What a wonderful write...you do have such a way with words! Always enjoy my visits, and this may indeed need sharing...I've a few folks in need of a smirk...(and they blush easier than I!)
ReplyDeleteSexy, playful, and done with a very deft hand!
ReplyDeleteSensual, sexy... I really enjoyed the ending
ReplyDeleteI feel when you breathe
your dangerous endearments,
your catnip questions
in my ear?
:)
I have to echo Fireblossom; "Ok, who---" I think I read the poem with my mouth open. Wow! Seriously, it's beautifully sensuous. AND, loved your comment: "Ladies, it's spring. Even old people can tell." Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann, and you're welcome. I don't often revisit these sorts of memories, but its nice to know they're still there. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my my!! That analogy was just fantastic, Joy!! I could simply EAT the delicious imagery in this poem...truly awesome!! If I could get a penny for every time I sighed at reading your words, I would be a millionaire by now! :)
ReplyDeletespreads out its seed profligate and pithy
ReplyDeletedark against the succulent flesh,
Love this, so sensual and provocative. Beautifully written, cheers!
What words from me would not take away the perfect way this poem moves sensuously? Yet wonderfully with grace? I dare not try. Another brilliant composition by you, Joy!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
i will forever think of this poem when biting into a ripe piece of fruit. a sensuous taste of lust. thank you! love the image, too.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous - it just drips with sensuality. Love the 'catnip questions'
ReplyDeleteWhat a lusty treat!
I also noticed, even the curving shape of the poem as you have it center-aligned reinforces the round, ripe, sensual subject matter.
ReplyDeletewonderful metaphor work, Joy. Really strong piece. And you know I don't blow smoke!
ReplyDeleteStill dig ya my friend
warm regards
Luke x
Thanks for the kind words, Luke, and for stopping by.
ReplyDelete@Mary--Thanks for noticing the shaping part--I didn't get as into as I do sometimes--this was a fast write after I changed my mind about posting an oldie.
Wow..very sensual and erotic. Love it! My poem was the first time I wrote from Mucha's paintings. I actually wrote another one from another image, but it will go into my book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking it out, Susie--I love that look she has. (And many congrats on the book.) I think his art is a lot of fun to write from.
Delete