Jerry Brotherton Poet Haibun

Hometown Rot

don’t judge fallen fruit
by the color of its skin
rot begins inside

I visit my youthful stomping ground less and less each year. Somehow, the place seems damaged to me. Like a ripe apple that has fallen into the grass. It might be shiny and delicious looking on the top, but when you bend to pick it up, you can see it's mushy and bruised underneath.

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Randy Freie October 2, 2026 at 7:40 PM Brother Brotherton, it's been too long since I've visited. Been dealing with skin cancer for the past year, on which, I was on hiatus from writing. I should have at least, kept reading yours and other's work. Forgive this old Salt. But, I've pretty much got a handle on my rot. Funny, I don't feel any fruitier.

akira artly September 26, 2026 at 10:37 AM I've really been enjoying your poem and the emotions and imagery were so vivid that i could easily picture them as beautiful illustration. I'm a commission-based manga/webtoon artist,and I’d love to discuss the possibility of bringing this poem to life if you're ever interested. Feel free to reach out at gm@il : akiracomicart2@ or on inst@: akiraa_artly

Yann Rolland March 31, 2026 at 3:54 AM powerful poetry, to think about whoever you are, enjoyed

Deb M March 18, 2026 at 7:43 PM Such true and powerful words my friend! Love it! Debx

Victor Buhagiar March 16, 2026 at 2:13 AM So true. Rot begins from the inside.

Tom Cunningham March 15, 2026 at 3:11 AM Sad to see Jerry, I try and avoid going back to where I grew up, prefer to remember how it was before the rot set in. Tom

Darlene De Beaulieu March 10, 2026 at 10:01 AM Hello Jerry Brotherton , Yes I agree. Roit begins on the inside of the fruit. My friend, Enjoy your day. Your friend, /Darlene/