why shine the apple

we're so alike,

she says to me,

shining

the apple in her hand

before taking

a bite.

not really, i tell her.

yes,

we're alive.

we eat, we sleep, we breathe.

but beyond

that,

i see nothing

alike between us.

we think and behave

so differently.

take that apple

for instance.

i wouldn't waste my

time

shining it.

i'd cut it into fours

with a sharp knife,

and then i'd eat.