April Planting

National Poetry Month

I. The Avocado
How perfect is the avocado?
Protected by its bumpy skin,
all green and goodness inside,
a large smooth seed
at its heart.
The tree hangs its teardrop fruit,
later we slice it for sandwiches
or douse with fresh lemon,
and stick the new seed
in water to watch
in the windowsill.

II.  Beets
Oh Beet, how fine you are
leaking red juice like a sweetheart
on every table since before the Dark Ages
Oh Beet, Spinach could never compete
with your valentine leaves
or deep, dark root

III.  Carrots
With a slice 

you become an eye

or the rings of a tree

telling how many lives,

I see you, you see me

long and thin, I envy,

you of many colors

and orange to celebrate

that royal family

IV.  Eggplant
Oh the purplest of purples

so deep and rich

with your off-white insides

your foamy feel

your versatility

who knew you were

the biggest berry of all

your family of nightshade

India crowned you king

V.  Onion
Peel me
layer by layer
eyes tear
as you slowly
encounter
my raw
insides

VI. Tomato
Ripening 

in the summer sun

your bright red skin

beckons, for what

could ever be better

than a ripe, juicy tomato, 

right from your vine

your smell whets the appetite

lingering in the brain

tomato, a fruit divine