In amber light the orchard shone:
there in its core one tree alone
with fruit so plump, so ripe, so thick.
I stretched my hand, in secret picked
one juicy pearl and took a bite—
but as I ate that oyster's orb
my mind grew pale; my heart grew cold.
My pulse soon quickened with the fright
of guilt and knowing everything
of stealing, killing, death and sin.
