A slice of his apple

By Victoria Ruck

The most beautiful thing you can see 

is a lean boy in the morning light 

of summer sunrise

in the orchard, under a tree.

He is offering a slice of his apple, 

but you say no,

“I want you to eat it”

you tell him because you love him,

more than you might think.

He puts the apple in his shirt pocket

because he knows you’ll want it later,

and it’s a secret agreement.

He’ll want you, 

and you will take what he can offer you,

which at this moment in time,

is a bite of an apple.

.

You’ll still give him the rest of the fruit if he wanted it.

Illustration by Verity Laycock