Still Life

The masters all painted Baskets of fruit Why? What is it about fruit That demanded such passionate expression? Was there a lucrative market of fruit lovers to exploit? Personally Fruit doesn't bake my cake if you know what I mean. Now Naked babes in the grass That I can understand But apples on a dish? What is it they're trying to say? Do they tempt us like Eve 'Buy the apple painting, Maude, big, delicious, juicy, red apples on a porcelain white dish. Buy it, buy it, buy' Whisper the artist's serpent strokes. Or maybe 'Twas some deep psychological need That compelled the depiction of Fruit. There they sit Inert In a bowl, or basket or dish. The artist as pear. Brimming life Immobile. Contained within- A precious seed Waiting... (Previously published in Art Villa, Aug.1999)