After the Fall

the snake hid among the trees the way 

a splinter take root in your palm making 

it difficult to pull without tearing a piece 

of you apart you said he can watch 

knowing there is no place in hell large 

enough to contain this laughter slipped 

out of your lips as the nectar blessed 

your tongue for asking more for the 

second time the third time you took a bite 

you smiled as the juice dripped sweet 

against your chin i can feel the words

ripen in my mouth the tender flesh 

& the red skin wondering if you’d be 

willing to fall if you’d be happy to fall 

once again