"Fragola" was the first Italian
word I learned, and it proved to be
very useful in the fruit market on the way to class. When I first went, I asked confidently for my favorite fruit, strawberries. Then I pointed at the ripe, red cherries, saying "Vorrei..." (I'd like). The owner filled my lack for a word by offering "ciliege."
Every morning, I visited him to
get a bag of fruit for breakfast. I walked out with a brown paper bag that had "arrivederci e grazie" printed on it. I walked to the Atrium eating the strawberries, cherries, nectarines, kiwis, bananas, or whatever I had chosen that day.
Not only were the fruits the freshest I have ever tasted, they begged to be photographed. Such vibrant colors, such juicy insides, such perfect shapes...

Ciliege


A perfect red ciliegia
nestles among dozens
just like it,
showing off
its healthy skin in the window,
strong sepia stem,
perfect roundness,
a ripeness hinting
at plenty of sweet juice.

The small girl with a yellow bow
in her ponytail is lured
by the ad.
She reaches around the shiny window
while the shop owner looks away,
reaching for the perfect cherry.

She quickly pulls the stem
of her chosen winner,
lifting it above her open mouth,
lowering sweet fruit
onto her tongue.

Securing the cherry between her teeth,
she detaches the stem,
presses the fresh fruit
against the roof of her mouth
releasing the juice
it's held for days.
Her smile with cherry-stained lips
is victorious.


Kathryn M. Lowry