A Crate of Picked Peaches
dappled as summer’s sunset
blushed yellow & red, stacked
perfectly in a wooden crate
each rounded cheek boasts
fuzzy flesh, begs teeth
to sink into skin, savor
like Renoir’s velvet still
tells a mouth-watering story
of sunshine rained sugar
stone fruits: big softballs, plump
water juicing glory
firm, but soft in hand
think of childhood sweetness
moments before waking
dimples upon pillows
magnificent and magnificence
individual and collective, all
uniform attentive spheres
each tree-ripened fruit
peaks at its sweetest tang
picked for this June moment
sumptuous fragrance whisks me
to a fruit stand, my father selects
treats for Sunday afternoons
what delight, gift of gods
to eat, peach juice dripping
liquid gold down my arms
June 26, 2021