September Symposiums: An Apple a Day

An Apple a Day 

An Apple a Day - Dr. Turney here to tell you this is just what you need. Okay, I am not that kind of doctor but still - I recommend a steady dose of this poetry anthology thoughtfully curated by the superstar Chris Kads! 

What I bit into: 

Thea Smiley’s concrete piece “Picking Apples” is a highlight!  

I dug “Craving,” a commentary on motherly love… a scathing one in my interpretation by Nin Timbers and Chris Kads. 

I wasn’t surprised to see poems about Eve in an apple anthology and I love what Cassie Lipton did in her piece! Here is a line to chew on: “this story is about god and the devil and man all trying to control her.” Yes, organized religion is pretty much about control… oh and money, so I loved this analysis of Eve. 

Every woman thinks of poisoning her enemies. That’s normal right? Maggie Devers thinks so: “Sometimes, I cut open the core and free the seeds. They hold cyanide inside to deter prying creatures like me. How many would I need to crush to make something harmful? How many apples to take down an empire?” F*ck Maggie, let’s find out! Down with the patriarchy…am I right? 

I also liked Alex Dawson’s intriguing piece written as an apology to Eve for lessons learned the hard way. Some apples are filled with worms (and venereal diseases). I digress. 

Another highlight was Isha Mital’s short and deliciously odd poem “Apple for Dessert.” 

I loved Nicole Zwolinski’s piece about the apple scented products of the 2000s. (Now that I think of it, I like all of her work that I have seen around.) Yes - I could smell that bit of nostalgia - so sickeningly sweet, like cutting class and smoking a cigarette with that hot junior. You know, the one with her bangs in her eyes and the smoky eyeshadow. 

Toni Young’s piece about history, lineage, and the blandness of Western society stood out. 

Cypher’s piece about the longings of childhood that never fade matched well with Toni’s piece. 

Now some lines so juicy they will drip right down your chin: 

pilfering away all her sweetness  - Nicholas Grooms 

She had me core to skin. - Michael Dubon 

Time, the only way to make them yield sweetness.  - Nicole Shepherd

pear, plum, persimmon, Saturn’s rings strung with sweet rind; planets round, full, and fruiting - Caitríona Walsh