Apple-tasting

O blush not so! O blush not so! Or I shall think you knowing; And if you smile the blushing while, Then maidenheads are going. There's a blush for want, and a blush for shan't, And a blush for having done it; There's a blush for thought, and a blush for nought, And a blush for just begun it. O sigh not so! O sigh not so! For it sounds of Eve's sweet pippin; By these loosen'd lips you have tasted the pips And fought in an amorous nipping. Will you play once more at nice-cut-core, For it only will last our youth out, And we have the prime of the kissing time, We have not one sweet tooth out. There's a sigh for aye, and a sigh for nay, And a sigh for "I can't bear it!" O what can be done, shall we stay or run? O cut the sweet apple and share it!

John Keats

When I was a young man,

I heard a wise man say,

“Don’t tarry my boy,

Pluck often, taste, and have your say.”

So I went to my orchard

began to explore,

Anxious to find out

What tastes were in store.

Some were too ripe, some were too green,

Some were just right, a few were unclean,

Some tasted sweet, a few rather sour,

I chewed on one until I was sore!

Now I have wandered

for three score and three,

often returning

to my favorite tree.

I carefully pluck with care and with fun,

A sweet golden apple ripe from the sun.

CPW

P.S. No misogyny intended here, but rather only respect for the sweetest, blushing, sighing "fairer sex" (le beau sexe). Proof is in the photo below. I love my girls!

CPW