APPLE ANNIE - Poem and Illustration

APPLE ANNIE

Would you like
An apple?
Red, ruby-red,
Like your lips;

Or perhaps
A peridot-green
Granny Smith
Instead?

An apple, Miss!
Won’t cost
A goat’s
Snake-eyed wink
Or a toad’s toe
Or a drink from
The Unicorn’s pool,
Your first-born,
Or the peerless jewel
Of your virtue.

An apple , Miss!
A crisp bite
Of a dream,
Or the succulent edge
Of a poison kiss…

It’s just an apple, Miss!
Go on, then…
Stretch out that
Pearl-skinned
Stingy fist
And take it...

It’s a gift,
I tell you…
Lay your lips
To that cool skin
Let out your tongue
In a little lick…

It’s not like
Egypt
Embracing
The Asp;
You won’t feel
The prick of the
Venom,

Just the click
Of your throat
Closing,
The gasp
Of the air
Struggling
To escape
The clasp
Of the
Spasming
Lung,
The clench
Of the burning
Thirst…

Here, Miss,
Have an apple,
It's on me…
I insist!


Manuela Cardiga