one bite into this apple

and even the sound
of its crunch, on my teeth
is delicious
I've been hungry
all morning, but still
I set the apple down
and do things
that need to be done

I wander about the house

attempting chores
but I’m distracted
accomplishing only bits
and pieces
of this and that
never finishing
a single task

I’m unfocused

unhinged
except for the taste
of this apple
to which I keep returning
seduced by the flavor
of its juice, so sweet
on my lips, so tart

I am sustained by this apple

and I work slowly, inefficiently
preoccupied, so I quit
with the chores and write
a poem, about how delighted I am
with this apple, how it soothes
my appetite, how it satisfies
my every hunger
and I worry
about these unfinished chores
so I mention them
in the poem
before I go outside to smoke
a cigarette, to dream

and this is where I sit

right now
on the wet concrete
of my door step
getting nothing done
smoking, getting my pants
all wet
from the concrete, listening
to birds sing
taking deep breaths of spring
mist and aimless leisure
savoring what’s left
of my apple
while I sit, chewing

on the core

and I realize
how this apple has become
a part of me, incorporated
into my very essence
how it has infiltrated
my blood stream
surging through my heart
and I realize

that today I’m smiling

05/15/2006

Posted on 05/15/2006
Copyright © 2026 Jim Benz