Mangoes in Early Fall

There's no civilized way to eat some fruits--
just savage sucking & ripping of flesh,
the large white seed in the center
waiting to be exposed. Bite into it
like an apple or a peach--such sweetness
drips down the throat, blonde fibers
much like corn silk & just as uneatable.
This exotic tropical fruit--only seen in
romantic comedies located in some
exotic place--never grown amongst
the pear trees & grape vines. & when
the large white seed with remaining amber
mohair is put on the plate with the
toughened shaved skin (read rind)
that couldn't be chewed, the poem is done
gone, left in the space of time that can only
be broken with teeth marks through inviting
red/green flesh

first published in Cultural Weekly