Poems from the B-side (ie stuff that never got published)

It's getting cold too soon here, but I have some strawberries that are trying to ripen, anyway. It reminded me of this poem that I wrote three or four years ago, but never published. Hope you like it!

Strawberries

Sometimes, in the waxing blush
of spring, the buried craving comes
undone, claws at the verdant skirt
of leaves. The plump hearts
that hide beneath are stripped away
nearly purple with red, and heavy. Do not let
anyone rush you. Sit down in the dirt. Close
your eyes and learn the plucked
berry's shape with your fingertips
before crushing it between tongue
and palate. You will be surprised, as you are
every year, by the pulp and seed. Do not stifle
your cry. Breathe in May's reluctant
surrender to a ripening June.

image from pixabay.com