The Bitter Truth

This lovely fruit that clings to tree:
it beckons shyly, just to me.
Not an apple to pick, alas;
nor a fine pear--I almost pass.

But then a perfume fills the air,
almost too sweet for one to bear.
And so I pick this lovely fruit
and give to one in my pursuit.

She thought it beautiful, at first.
I wasn't ready for the worst.
The face she made was new to me,
her screaming fraught with witchery!

She threw the beastly thing at me,
and ran away: I watched her flee.
What smells so sweet but tastes so sour?
That, I now know, is lemon's power.

What a faux pas I had just made.
But it unmasked a grand charade.
As lemon and the girl portrayed
that which lies within and not displayed.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Stoiber Avatar
April 15, 2024 at 11:11 AM
Ann, Quite a clever poem, rich with irony and truth. And it recalls to me the lesson learned in the lyrics of "Lemon Tree", one of my favorite songs to play on the ukulele. Well done.
Peck Avatar
April 16, 2024 at 1:23 PM
"lemon tree, very lovely, and the lemon blossom is sweet. But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat!" :) One of my favorites from the good ol' days, too.
Maverick Avatar
October 4, 2021 at 12:48 PM
Love it life lesson in one lemon.moment'
Peck Avatar
January 22, 2022 at 8:46 AM
I'm late in responding, but thank you, Joe! Some lessons are bitter :)
Leffanta Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 12:08 PM
Clever girl! Well done!
Peck Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 12:28 PM
Thanks, Rico! Aloha!
Rone Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 11:22 AM
This is a beauty Ann, and as Rama says. looks can be deceptive as was the development of your pretty poem. - Ken
Peck Avatar
June 25, 2021 at 9:06 AM
Thank you for your comments, Ken :)
Balasubramanian Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 10:40 AM
Looks are deceptive, wonderfully captured.
Peck Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 8:54 AM
Thank you so much, Rama.
Pandit Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 8:14 AM
A powerful message in your ending lines, Ann. What appears to be is not always how it is. Enjoyed reading this metaphor on life.
Peck Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 12:20 PM
Thank you so much, Vijay!
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