The curve of my thumb digs into the rind, Crescent shaped wounds leaking saccharine juice, It runs in rivulets down my fingers.

I peel back the skin, Exposing the delicate segments.

Gently, I crack open the flesh, Cradling the two halves like a heart in my hands.

The peices disappear, One by one, Until all I am left with are hands, Stained with the smell of tangerines.

Bitter juice seeps out of yellow flesh A vile taste reaps stinging wounds afresh You cut your tongue on your acid words And yet I'm the problem? That's absurd But of course once the hate is all squeezed out You're completely sweet, feigning innocence, as if this is just merely a bout And I guess you need extra ingredients to polish off personalities Personally, I don't see how sugar-coated lies could ever cure the sourness you hold inside While I'm powerless to decide if the real you is sick and acidic or just thick and a total cynic Sometimes I just want to squeeze lemon juice in your eyes, but I realise that won't solve where my real problems lie And so I've tried to be kind and sell lemonade with you, but it's hard going unpaid to do And I don't like that it's like a grenade with you, but I'm more afraid of breathing your bitter air and drinking juice littered with processed sugar, I'd rather something purer They praise us saying we work so well together, sure, in sunny weather But I'd rather spill this pitcher in your face than deal with more words laced with sharp tastes Even if I come out of this the bitter one, and you the praised No one in their right mind would bite into a lemon Especially one as sour as you

In a world so fruity, filled with love and cheer, Let me paint a picture, of those I hold dear. Taylor, like a pineapple, stands tall and strong, Sweet on the inside, with a vibrant throng.

Savanna, oh raspberries, so delicate and sweet, Each little bite, a moment so fleet. Angelica, like grapes, in clusters she shines, Bringing joy and laughter, like cherished wines.

Chad, a mango, exotic and rare, His vibrant personality, beyond compare. Meghan, a pomegranate, with seeds so divine, Her beauty and grace, like a treasure to find.

Billy, a watermelon, nice and cool, His energy contagious, never a dull pool. Kelly, a lemon, adds zest to your days, Her vibrant spirit, like sunshine that stays.

Shay, a lime, with a tangy delight, Her presence refreshing, like a summer's night. Miranda C, cherries, playful and bright, Her laughter contagious, a pure delight.

Miranda H, blueberries, small yet so grand, With her wisdom and kindness, a helping hand. Stacy bananas, full of energy and fun, Spreading joy and laughter, like a bright sun.

Kelly, a kiwi, unique and sweet, Her friendship a treat, a bond hard to beat. Avery, papaya, with a gentle embrace, Her warmth and kindness, a comforting space.

Morgan and David, apricots, soft spoken and smart, Their fun presence, like a sweet dream. Mommy, a lemon, tart and sweet, the perfect combination to a perfect combo to a charming treat. Sarah, like apples, dependable and true, Her loyalty unwavering, like skies so blue.

Philip, an orange, bright and radiant, His positivity and zest, ever triumphant. Steve Steve, guava, with a tropical flair, His adventurous spirit, taking you everywhere.

Gage, a cantaloupe, sweet and refreshing, His kindness and humor, forever uplifting. Knox, strawberries, a burst of delight, His energy contagious, like fireworks at night.

Ron, a grapefruit, bold and tangy, With his wit and charm, life's never blandly. Cade, avocados, versatile and true, A friend in every situation, who's there for you.

The Holloways, peaches, soft and sweet, Their love and warmth, a family complete. The Striplings, plums, with a taste so divine, Their bond unbreakable, like cherished wine.

Ali, a pear, elegant and rare, Her grace and beauty, beyond compare. Nanny, honeydew melon, cool and serene, Her love and wisdom, like a tranquil scene.

Paw paw, blackberries, sweet and wild, With her spirit and laughter, like a mischievous child. Tori, a fig, unique and intriguing, Her creativity and passion, forever inspiring.

Jayci, a Rambutan, curious and bright, Her radiant energy, like stars in the night. Micheal and Larry, Cupuacu, a duo so strong, Their friendship forever, a melodic song.

Sara, a Cherimoya, exotic and rare, Her presence enchanting, beyond compare. Hank, a Dragon fruit, mysterious and bold, His adventurous spirit, a tale yet untold.

In this fruity world, with love all around, Each person so special, their beauty profound. Cherish the bonds, like fruits on a tree, For they bring joy and happiness, eternally.

The girl in the mirror Like cherry in pie Indulgent, sweet and purely heaven For those who like cherry

The crust by itself The reflection holds it’s own It’s less desirable Dry, crispy and crumbling

The purpose of freshly squeezed juice More pure than the artificial drinks

Like the temptation of the apple Whether red or green is preferred

The girl stares deep into her darkened eyes Reflected, and she always asked ‘Why?’

Relfecting nothing like the sweet, fruity girl she knew A couple changes till perfection, I swear only a few

LLK.

Red and delicious Tempting and sweet Wanting but suspicious Too good to eat

There for the picking Ripe and divine But will you trick me The great sublime

Evil before her She fails the test Yes, she can see But can the rest

The apple was pure The Garden of Eden Eve was demure Too blind to see him Tessa🦋

As of today’s date It is with great aplomb That I blow a raspberry Toward the C-suite And quit my job as VP of Sales When I graduated from Carnegie Melon You cherry-picked me From a sublime list of Candidates For a peachy job But it as become appearant That this place is bananas And that the currant Leadership is as corrupt as Marion Berry’s administration The cash you make off our backs Is enough to make a man go Crazy That’s the key we desire To feel that you at least Give a fig about our happiness But, alas, that is too much to Hope for All I desired was common decency I wanted time off to marry my beloved And you forced me to work So much I can’t elope! As they say, though, When life gives you lemons… That’s why I’m leaving Don’t blame my supervisors If you need someone at whom To direct your anger I’m your huckleberry.

White tarnish on their purple skins. When you taste one, it’s bitterness that moves you.

Better to boil them, souse them with cold spirit, hide them in the drawer you rarely open.

Until you want to know what it’s like this taint of autumn and you drain their ghosts into a ice-ringed glass.

Apple of my eye That tart raspberry tongue with rosey cherry cheeks

A bowl of fruit sits atop a polished mahogany table. The fruits are glossy and unblemished. It is an inviting scene. Excitedly, I stride forwards, eager to taste the sweet flavours and juices contained by each fruit. I reach out, my fingers closing around the smooth exterior of a chartreuse-green apple, and lift it to my mouth. I close my eyes, ready to savour the delicious sweetness, and take a bite.

Fake. It’s all fake. I choke, coughing out a wad of spit-covered polystyrene. Everything is fake, and I hate myself for not realising sooner. I should have known. I should have known, because this always happens. Just as things seem so beautiful, so perfect, the truth is revealed, and they’re nothing but lies. And you don’t need to be a genius to know that I’m talking about more than fruit.

Goat’s milk suckled Zeus broke off Cornucopia. Unending plenty from Zeus, her fostered god King, on Crete’s Mount Ida hidden.