By Emi Gruender
ambitious and young
finger-scarred cream blooms
scents a crisp breeze
the pride of its prime
lustrous, firm skin
in blushing trios
perfect
and bountiful
but in each one, the seed of rot
where the flesh meets,
where the rind lingers in the shade,
rot.
it festers with angry black sores
supple skin gives way to softness
potential unrealized
time does not wait for you,
you, who clings to its mother
you, who wishes to blush crimson forever
you, who who fears your death
so now, you’re simply:
ambitious and young
rotting on the branch