PAST THE EXPIRATION DATE

i was sitting at the table
fumbling with my hands
unaware they were moving
from here to there, absentmindedly
in front of me sat a bowl
of mostly unappetizing fruit, to say the least
but near the bottom i spied
something bright orange, i reached in
and pulled up a nectarine, small
glistening, how could i have missed you?
yet here you are, nestled in my palm
i couldn't wait to peel back the skin to
reveal the fruit underneath, little by little
i pulled back the sections i had exposed
until i saw the luscious looking fruit underneath
as the juice ran over my hands and between my fingers
i could hardly wait, the anticipation was building
until i took the long awaited bite, i blinked once, twice
as the sour taste overwhelmed my taste buds
that was it, the moment gone, my expectation underwhelmed

by Michael Perry