Day 3: Apples

Apples
By Hannah Six

It seems the simplest
confusion in
the world to look
upon an apple and
think: Pear

To scoop its fair
golden heft into
the curve of
your palm, the faint
coral blush pinkening
your fingertips,
and firm siren flesh
setting your teeth
to aching

It could
go either way,
this fruit.
One could hardly
be blamed
for confusing
the Cameo with
the Anjou.

But...bite and
taste. You see?
That rustic,
rough and ready,
toothsome tart
hardly compares
with a dainty, creamy,
floral-scented pear.

The simplest
error, but
the difference
is clear:
Pears are suspect
(their bruises
show, their bodies
are soft as sin),

while apples—from
Eve's tentative bite to
frozen pies—
are honest.
Their glory lies
in fairy tales, where
maidens die and live
again to kiss
the juice-stained
lips of cavaliers.

(c) 2017, by Hannah Six