discreetly,
the membrane
he seeks

where earlier skin
defines still-
vibrant
pupal pulp

some flesh
surrenders simply
to cutting

releases seeds
like fish eggs
to a spoon

some arms itself
with stinks and spines

( the risqué
are forbidden
in public places

but true buah
is nowhere
vulgar )

or squeezes
open, slurpy
pearls of furry
mollusk

some section
selectively, not
as you like it

whining pith or
dogged rind

crumbling shards
of jewels,
broken

but
felt gently,
their presence

is luminous
crescents

sliced
stars

skinless egg
of snake

tumbled boulders
of Mars

he speaks
with knife

submits
in pieces, re-
composed

honeyed
and binding
as Yusuf

suffering
many

( and blade- )

kissed
fingertips

//