by Sabina C. Becker
(2/9/00)

Press your thumb
into the navel. Softly.
Break skin but don't bruise flesh.
Penetrate.
Pull back, but not out.
Hook a finger under the edge.
Bolder now, pull back once more
and the white silk lining will sigh
with ripe nectar's perfume.

Juice slowly forms
a pearl. Too eager,
you have gone too far
on a first foray.
No fear.
Your tongue
can remedy that.
Segments and folds
are very forgiving.