Cherry Tomatoes

Little bastards of vine. Little demons by the pint. Red eggs that never hatch, just collapse and rot. When

my mom told me to gather their grubby bodies into my skirt, I'd cry. You and your father, she'd chide—

the way, each time I kicked and wailed against sailing, my dad shook his head, said You and your mother.

Now, a city girl, I ease one loose from its siblings, from its clear plastic coffin, place it on my tongue.

Just to try. The smooth surface resists, resists, and erupts in my mouth: seeds, juice, acid, blood

of a perfect household. The way, when I finally went sailing, my stomach was rocked from inside

out. Little boat, big sea. Handful of skinned sunsets.

Sandra Beasley