Fig Leaf

FIG LEAF The scene – the Garden of Eden. The characters – Adam and Eve. The time – the very beginning. The plot – quite hard to conceive. For they are the first two people on earth. Though, where they came from isn’t clear. They obviously have no parents, So I’m not sure how they got here. They both have a sense of decency And instinctively seem to know That certain parts of the body Should not be left on show. And so they look around them For something to hide their shame. It hasn’t escaped their notice That their bodies are not quite the same. They find a convenient fig tree And, much to their surprise, The shape of the leaves is perfect And it has them in their size. They pick one for him and three for her, I’m sure you can work out why, And now they can pose for pictures, No longer self-conscious and shy. There are two things I always wonder. I expect you have wondered too. Did they wear one at the rear as well? We never see that view. And the other burning question, That I’ve often dwelt upon, Before the days of adhesives, How did they fix them on? 4th April 2022 This or That Vol 11 poetry contest Sponsor - Edward Ibeh