Written by Lily Willows
Photo by Annie Barber
I bring a strawberry to my lips,
The first of this year’s summer gifts.
Sweet juices coat my fingers,
Stains of July days linger.
I suck out the syrup,
Tasting freedom, possibilities, sunshine.
Reminiscent of winter sucking my joy,
Which summer permits me to reclaim.
The whole season long,
I only eat strawberries.
Anxious I’ll forget how delicious life can be,
Once the sun is absent and fruit rotten.
Though tempted to sample,
Peaches, pears plums,
I remain loyal to my garnet-stained lips,
Refusing anything but
a strawberry kiss.
Yet as autumn arrives,
The strawberries have long departed,
On the wings of the sun’s rays.
I force myself to revisit the fruit bowl,
Test if another can
Steal my heart.
Though with my cravings I must reason,
I’ll never forget,
Strawberry Season.
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