fruitcakes in love

fruit trees, blossoming in the mid winter
because global warming has Mother Nature kidnapped,

fruit loops, the colorful children’s cereal
of my childhood; but my favorite, you know

they’re also the little loops on the back of your
dress shirts, centered between your shoulder blades

I tug at you on the stairs, holding you close
hoping you’ll turn around and offer a kiss

fruit-of-the-loom was my favorite
brand of tee-shirts, but there were never

any bananas or apples like on the fancy
silk boxers I buy you for Valentines Day

my cherry tree bonsai will have a hundred flowers this year
and maybe a few sweet fruit to nibble late in May

you’ll laugh as we hunt wild blackberries come June
for the horses in the meadow

remember the picture you took last August?
when they both nuzzled me in the chest that chilly dawn?

you hate those early morning’s when I force us
to the farmer’s market for decent grapefruit

it’s you who instigated the healthy ritual of
breakfast muesli with fresh fruit and soy milk

yeah, I know I’m stubborn like a coconut
but when you break me open

and learn to love me, I’m sweeter than
strawberries and…your strong arms



fruitcakes in love
[2007.30.1...b]
Written for the Writer’s Cramp