the apple

you see them in the grocery
store, stopping their carts
to study apples.to
hold a tomato in their
hands as if shopping
not for food, but for art
to be placed somewhere
in their home where
everyone can see.
they tap on the melons,
turning them to the side
almost waiting for
a cough. and the corn,
how they shred the stalk
and peer into the hidden
layers to see if there
is gold, or subtle signs
of rot. how they
smell the basil, the parsley,
closing their eyes
being transported to a
place you want to go.
the grapes and cherries
lifted into the light.
such scrunity. and you
wonder if their life
is like this all the time.
as you take the first apple
from the pile
and  take a bite.