Karen Paul Holmes
Fruitful Hearts
Like grapes
hearts have existed for eons
can be consumed whole
fermented, can muddle the brain
can be consumed whole
fermented, can muddle the brain
Like pumpkins
hearts grow big, round, full
can be hollowed out
and carved into something grotesque
can be hollowed out
and carved into something grotesque
Like peaches
hearts have a warm fuzzy feeling
give to gentle touch
might be sweet or sour
give to gentle touch
might be sweet or sour
Like pears
hearts have a distinctive shape,
wider at the bottom,
ideal for child bearing
wider at the bottom,
ideal for child bearing
Like pomegranates
hearts come in more than 700 varieties
can withstand drought
are associated with abundance, fertility, luck
can withstand drought
are associated with abundance, fertility, luck
Like vines
hearts easily tangle with each other
benefit from a little pruning
flourish with frequent feeding
benefit from a little pruning
flourish with frequent feeding
Like fruit trees
when properly propagated,
hearts will live on in others
will nourish generations.
hearts will live on in others
will nourish generations.
Karen Paul Holmes is the author of Untying the Knot (Aldrich Press, 2014). Her work has appeared in Poetry East, Atlanta Review, Lascaux Review, The Sow’s Ear Poetry Review, and the Southern Poetry Anthology Vol 5: Georgia (Texas Review Press). To support fellow writers, Holmes originated and hosts a critique group in Atlanta and Writers’ Night Out in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This poem appeared in Wild Goose Poetry Review.