If you Can't Judge a Book by the Cover . . . May 2, 2023

left on the library table

in a generous wicker basket

two nice bananas

five fading oranges

and one swollen knuckle of an apple

someone said “crab”

and I said “no

just a little runt”

which I plucked

and held up close

perfect structure and bearing

shiny red cheeks

well-tucked stem

midget not a dwarf

legs arms everything

perfectly proportioned

with a well-muscled

fragrance for its size

yes just a two-bite experience

and core fling

on my way to the car

but a mighty pair

of slushed and sluiced

and swallowed memories