Banquet for Sharon Rose
(a golden shovel after Song of Songs chapter 2)
Behind his garden wall, I check my hair and face. At the window, he
looks through the lattice and sees me by the fig tree. I’ve brought
pears and green apples from Lily’s valley. It’s been a busy day for me
No time for a pie. I heap the fruit into a basket and take them to
his. They look as sweet as the grapes in his vineyard. When the
door opens, I stumble. Apples tumble at his feet. A small banqueting
table is set for two. Before we step out to see the summer house
he shows me his porcelain, intricately painted with soft plums and
firm grapes, with trailing vines and spring flowers. The table is so high his
apple tree thighs fit underneath. From a secret place, he pulls a banner
of leaping deer, turtle doves and singing birds. It’s lovely, but all a bit over
the mountain. I see a ring on the table and think, Is that for me?
I feel faint. I sit in his shadow. I remember a line of a song that was:
Stay me with flagons! Comfort me with apples! For I am sick of love!
By Paul Robert
Paul is a creative writing student who longs to make the world a better place. He spent his working life in healthcare and is now an eco-worrier, peaceful eco-warrior, climate justice campaigner, green activist, runner, rubbish pianist and even worse violinist who loves music performed by anyone else.