my depression as punishment for desire

This poem was written by renée kay in a 12-Month Poetry Collection Generator taught by Angel Nafis.

i picture the apple
cinnabar & caught
in the dawn before evil
& wonder
if her breath
fogged the skin
before she took a bite
if she saw her reflection
if juice pooled
in the corners of her
lips & if she licked
it off herself

i too want & take
& would not
ask her to give
it back or undo
this consummate act

& anyway
anyone that has
used their hands
to put life in the dirt
knows apples wouldn’t
grow in the garden

the pomegranate seeds
she must’ve pulled out
with her teeth
one by one