Adam’s chapped lips aquiver at the sight of
the innocent glistening thing in Eve’s dark palm.
The overwhelming thirst he only notices at this moment.
If it were possible: the apple’s feeling of being used,
though important, of being a mere tool in some larger scheme.
The look on Eve’s face as she savors the first sweet bite.
That crunch like the spine of a law being broken.
Her eyes brighter, like a fire being lit inside her head.
Some type of veil lifting, or, better, being lifted.
More light.
Adam, now, seriously contemplating the possibility of.
The look on Eve’s face as he finally reaches for the fruit.
The sticky juice running down their fingers, their chins,
dripping like dew on the dying grass, their naked toes.

James R. Whitley’s poetry has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and published in numerous literary journals including HEArt, Poetry Midwest, Valparaiso Poetry Review, and Xavier Review. His first poetry book, Immersion (Lotus Press, 2002), was selected by Lucille Clifton as the winner of the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award. He is also the author of the chapbook Pietà (Pudding House Publications, 2001), which was selected as a finalist in both the Summer 2000 National Looking Glass Poetry Chapbook Competition and the Maryland State Poetry & Literary Society’s 2000 Chapbook Contest. Mr. Whitley’s newest chapbook, The Golden Web, is available in electronic and trade paperback formats from Wind River Press. Currently, Whitley lives in Boston, Massachusetts.