The prompt for Read Write Poem #101 included a whole bunch of p-words. I added some of my own.
Pomegranate
Its small prickly crown, more like a jester’s hat,
lies on the cutting board. Even now, it gives me pause,
this rough-skinned fruit that looks as if
it has been too long in the wind and sun.
Like Persephone, I split my time between two worlds.
Did she know, I wonder, the trick of opening
a pomegranate in a basin of water so that juice
doesn’t splatter the wall or pool beneath the knife?
I plunge my thumbs through the rind, and break
the fruit apart, dislodging seeds – a plethora of seeds -
each surrounded by its own ruby sheath. This is,
after all, what I want, and enough to last the winter.
Pieces of white pith float on the water, and cling
to my cold fingers, but seeds sink to the bottom
of the basin where I will retrieve four, or seven,
or eight, and place them on my ready tongue.
P-retty. (Actually better than that, but it had to be said)
I have one of those terrifying fruits on the counter waiting for me to come up with the courage to try opening the thing. You’ve given me some…pointers.
A very practical poem.You should consider writing a recipe book in verse.I’m sure it will be a first!
Beautiful!
Hi Tamra,
I’ve always loved pomegranates. They were an exotic winter treat in my childhood! That sticky juice is all part of the fun!
Such a lovely experience you captured with your poetry! I was able to see each small act perfectly…good work!
Oh, a love letter to a pomegranite. Look what happens when you embraced the P as compared to my slaying of the dreaded P. I knew there was a practical application here!
I’ve read several Persephone/pomegranate poems, and this one ranks, in my humble opinion, among the top. You re-generate images and intepretaions of the myth into your own personal ritual re-enactment: the cutting board, the bloody ruby juice, the placement of seed on tongue, the pause (hibernation of life). A lovely poem for this current November season, a splitting of sun to shadow.
I love pomegranates.
perfectly plastered
Nicely done, very visual, and good use of the p words too.
-Nicole
Really liked this, loved the way you drew Persephone into the mix. A very likable read. Thanks for sharing.
This is great. I like the way you’ve integrated the words into this so seamlessly. I like the comparisons with the Persephone myth and how you enhance the contrast by using so many palpable details.
I like the conflict in this poem – the division, the hesitation, the fight for restraint, the giving in. Also love the picture you paint of the “splatter” on the wall – makes the operation a bit gory, in a good way.
I really enjoyed your poem. I was drinking pomegranate juice today while reading it. Pomegranates like your poem are so very sensual. Thanks for posting, Tamra!
I’ll have to try that trick of cutting a pomegranate under water. I like the simple sensuality of this, how it pins me to the present through the tight focus on the wonder of cutting into and tasting a beautiful piece of fruit. I
Procedural Poetry! I like this a lot.
Wow…I mean it. This is quite cool…(can I call a poem cool?)
My ears are happy, my tongue yearns for the ruby-sheathed seeds. Wonderful work.
Your description of denuding the pomegranate is wonderful.
I plunge my thumbs through the rind, and break
the fruit apart, dislodging seeds – a plethora of seeds -
each surrounded by its own ruby sheath.
The reference to myth takes the literal to the metaphorical.
Delightful and delicious. You bring the fruit to life on the screen.
nicely done….pomegranates…mmmmm good…like your words