I Bought a Plum

I bought a plum to hold in my hand

because it made me feel close to your ghost,

because its weight in my palm made me vow

to die with your name on my lips, like its juice.

I bought a plum because they were on sale,

in season and ripe.

I bought a plum, even though they are

not my favorite fruit,

because it reminded me of a sunburnt afternoon

when I was so much younger,

and ate one at the beach,

then casually cast its pulpy remains into the sand.

I bought a plum and ate it quickly over the sink,

(paused and admired golden flesh gleaming

beneath dusky skin).

Its juice dripped down my wrist.

It was slightly sour around the pit.

I ran my teeth over it, until it was nothing but stone and stem,

then washed my hands.

…

momaste