Stolen

When you had
had enough,
you knew enough
to leave well enough alone.

If I had only known
what it was, hanging
about the gate of my garden:
a boy, complete;
painted thumb,
a taste for fruit trees.

In my palm,
I split a peach.
Wrenched the pit
free with my teeth.
Its translucent juices
dripped down my arm,
calling to flies;
the birds and the bees.
I held it to your mouth,
for you to eat.

When you had
had enough,
you knew enough to leave
well enough alone.
If I had only known...

On the occasion
of our genesis,
you had the forethought
to ask 'What is this?'
Before you kissed me,
I was a jelly bean
and then you kissed me.
There was no inbetween.
There never is.

When you had
had enough, that's when
you knew enough to leave
well enough alone.
I never seem to know.

© 2009 N. Chaplin
All Rights Reserved