Flower Tiger Fruit
Flower, Tiger, Fruit.
extrapolate this as a metaphor
from the blossoms
a spirit of sunset
bursting open a cornucopia of fruit.
translate this literal
with a growl you leapt
from damask bud soft as a babe's cheek
your viceral vivisections
burst upon the night
fruit like glowing jewels
repeat this, adagio, as smell and sound
smell this: the night-fresh
scent of jasmine, magnolia,
sharp scent of fear and sweat
and of running mindless through
a forest screaming
hear this: the moment sharp
teeth close over your throat,
the overripe smell of overripe fruit
pulpily burst.
As clearly as you can
the flower is a mask
for the tiger that bites
the you who is the fruit
that is
last.