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Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

These lines especially grab me:

“Accepting the neglect,

crimson bubbles burst

full of righteous anger

Red, rushing blood

spilling over their faces

plump and prepared, without pretense,

to be chewed straight off the vine”

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Rosa Lía Gilbert's avatar

Thank you so much, Margaret!!

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Sarah Howard Lapine's avatar

"Now, hands spill over..." the abundance of the gift in this image is beautiful. I have a draft of my own tomato poem which is mostly about how scrappy tomatoes have to be to grow in the mountains where the growing season is only 60 days long. I love the contrast in our perspectives and how we were both inspired by place.

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Rosa Lía Gilbert's avatar

Thank you for your kind words and ahh I do love that contrast. In their own way, both scenarios teach us something vital. I'd love to read your draft!! <3

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Claire Adderholt's avatar

YESSSSS. (also, I had struggled too even though I expected the tomato prompt to be one of the easiest!!). I LOVE this part, so full of visceral,vivid imagery -

"Accepting the neglect,

crimson bubbles burst

full of righteous anger

Red, rushing blood

spilling over their faces

plump and prepared"

and I also love the moments when we notice signs of grace in someone else's life. Good work pushing through the lack of inspiration friend!!

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Rosa Lía Gilbert's avatar

Amen, it is truly everywhere if we look close enough. Thank you, friend! <3

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Zane Paxton's avatar

Oh how my own tomatoes got neglected this summer haha.

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Rosa Lía Gilbert's avatar

Well, I'd say you've had more important lives to care for this summer!!

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