Alice
O. Howell
EVE ON HER DEATHBED
Adam,
bring me an apple for remembrance -
symbol in wilderness
between two trees
I've seen that cross too long
that rose grafted onto pain
and all the petals fallen
lying in footsteps toward the question
your answer bones lie under red earth
calling me -
the tree of life
the serpent told me
springs from the pole of the world
growing in a grey ocean out there
without horizons -
will you find it?
My dear, I once knew green leaves, warm bread, and desire
wet and curling
with swelling veins of joy
forgive me, have pity on my thin lips
just promise, oh promise
one apple, red and fierce
white within and crisp with wisdom
with shining pips
bursting in winter for spring
Adam, should you come and go a future Sunday
just one last apple to remember life!
A.O Howell