It's just poetry, it won't bite

Signify the Apple


11.14.09 Posted in today's words, vox poetica originals by

The apples are still delicious this fall.


Signify the Apple
By Annmarie Lockhart

There are as many theories about the apple
as there are stars in the sky.

Is it fair to say it meant something different
to Eve than it did to Adam?

Did either of them know that then;
do either of them know it yet?

The serpent offered Eve
dominion over the heart of man

and Eve offered Adam
dominion over creation.

But dominion and subjection are flip sides
of the very same coin, split halves

of the very same apple.
Where Eve seeks dominion

over the heart of Adam,
she is rendered instead subordinate:

petty, grasping, and secondary.
Where Adam seeks dominion

over God’s creation,
he is rendered instead inept:

clumsy, aimless, and impotent.
But the apple itself, once bitten

still holds sway, still tempts, still promises,
for it is still beautiful, still sweet, still tart,

and dominion still augurs the fall.



6 Responses to “Signify the Apple”

  1. The poet demonstrates wisdom beyond her years. Apparently she too, has taken a bite.

  2. Bobbie Troy says:

    I love the theme of dominion and how well you carried it throughout the poem. Fantastic work.

  3. Jeanette Gallagher says:

    This apple runs deep and makes my heart soften and shudder simultaneously. Powerful and thought provoking. It is simply wonderful! Thanks for the pleasure of reading your words, Annmarie.

  4. Jean says:

    Annmarie, you have used the apple, already a powerful symbol to show even strengthen it even further: dominion and subjection as flipsides of the same coin. Oh, yes they are! Thank you for demonstrating it so strongly.

  5. Rae says:

    I keep coming back to this poem, finding something new to love about it each time. Today I am drawn to the image of “split halves”, the way it so perfectly illustrates the poem.

  6. Ah yes, the serpent and his mighty apple, still lurks till this day. Many have bitten. Some shamelessly and many splendily, such as you.

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