First light / Divertimento for Hildie

Morning

Breaks to Clingstone on the Dumpling, then —

The bitter seed which lies in wait

Within the grape's confection 

Kidnaps the sweetness.

Light

Navigates to wood and glass

And blood-red paints

The craggy
Core of the icy peach

As the fault in the grapefruit

Goes unlearned until

The harsh
Introduction of its formula
Stings the naked eye.

Morning

Skies drape

One salt-weathered house; one

Woman sleeping.

Newport, Summer, 1977