Signify the Apple
The apples are still delicious this fall.
Signify the Apple
By Annmarie Lockhart
There are as many theories about the apple
as there are stars in the sky.
Is it fair to say it meant something different
to Eve than it did to Adam?
Did either of them know that then;
do either of them know it yet?
The serpent offered Eve
dominion over the heart of man
and Eve offered Adam
dominion over creation.
But dominion and subjection are flip sides
of the very same coin, split halves
of the very same apple.
Where Eve seeks dominion
over the heart of Adam,
she is rendered instead subordinate:
petty, grasping, and secondary.
Where Adam seeks dominion
over God's creation,
he is rendered instead inept:
clumsy, aimless, and impotent.
But the apple itself, once bitten
still holds sway, still tempts, still promises,
for it is still beautiful, still sweet, still tart,
and dominion still augurs the fall.
Signify the Apple
By Annmarie Lockhart
There are as many theories about the apple
as there are stars in the sky.
Is it fair to say it meant something different
to Eve than it did to Adam?
Did either of them know that then;
do either of them know it yet?
The serpent offered Eve
dominion over the heart of man
and Eve offered Adam
dominion over creation.
But dominion and subjection are flip sides
of the very same coin, split halves
of the very same apple.
Where Eve seeks dominion
over the heart of Adam,
she is rendered instead subordinate:
petty, grasping, and secondary.
Where Adam seeks dominion
over God's creation,
he is rendered instead inept:
clumsy, aimless, and impotent.
But the apple itself, once bitten
still holds sway, still tempts, still promises,
for it is still beautiful, still sweet, still tart,
and dominion still augurs the fall.
Posted by Annmarie at 11/14/2009 12:24 AM 
Categories: today's words, vox poetica originals
Tags: apple serpent redemption Eve temptation Adam Annmarie Lockhart flaws
Categories: today's words, vox poetica originals
Tags: apple serpent redemption Eve temptation Adam Annmarie Lockhart flaws
The poet demonstrates wisdom beyond her years. Apparently she too, has taken a bite.
Reply to this
I love the theme of dominion and how well you carried it throughout the poem. Fantastic work.
Reply to this
This apple runs deep and makes my heart soften and shudder simultaneously. Powerful and thought provoking. It is simply wonderful! Thanks for the pleasure of reading your words, Annmarie.
Reply to this
Annmarie, you have used the apple, already a powerful symbol to show even strengthen it even further: dominion and subjection as flipsides of the same coin. Oh, yes they are! Thank you for demonstrating it so strongly.
Reply to this
I keep coming back to this poem, finding something new to love about it each time. Today I am drawn to the image of "split halves", the way it so perfectly illustrates the poem.
Reply to this
Ah yes, the serpent and his mighty apple, still lurks till this day. Many have bitten. Some shamelessly and many splendily, such as you.
Reply to this