I call this an “exercise” for two reasons:
1) It is outside the range of my normal creative comfort zone, and thus forced me to exercise both brain and muse, lol. Hopefully it will do the same for you, should you wish to give it a whirl yourself!
2) It was given to my current writing workshop with Deb Sturgess as “homework”, which is then by default exercise, ha. Naturally, as such, I composed it right at the very last minute! Whoops.
Read up on Odes here, if you wish. It’s really quite a fascinating subject. I did not get too fancy with this one, being that I really did write it last minute, but I found it (like most things of this nature) to be both fun and exhilarating… after it was all over, of course.
So without further ado… I present:
Such beauty seize thee, o apple of ruby skin!
So shiny, firm and crisp,
Your ancient kin the root of all sin
The taste of thee so desperately missed
In times of turmoil and times of ill
Your nutritious bites eliminating nausea with such skill
Your pale, pale pearly flesh
Like the milky white cheeks of a maiden fresh
The golden glow behind your blushing hide
Like beams of sunrise against a field of roses stretching wide
As so much more than just a simple fruit
You represent much of what is at the root
Of our culture, our stories, and fairy tales too
Even principles of science you help us construe
You’ve helped demonstrate the curvature of space and time
Sacrificed yourself nobly for a study of motion
You were the temptation that led to Eve’s eternal crime
And dipped in evil potion
Sent Snow White into deep repose
Yet a symbol of hope you remain to this day
Split by a single bolt
A sign of rebellion in William Tell’s crossbow
Spread shore to shore by Johnny Appleseed’s way
But best of all, as everyone knows
An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
***
Now go look for something to write an Ode about yourself! And when you write it, link to it in the comments! I’d love to read it! Ready, set, go!
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