Love Arrives at the Orchard |
Forbidden Fruit I move slowly among the ripened fruit. Alone on this day, the orchard and I are one. In ancient orchards of my family I work. Among fruit swollen with water and sun. Needing laborers father has sent for them to gather the fruits now ripe and gold. Among them one highly prized has come His face both fair and bold. Night has come and coolness with it. The smell of the fruit now rests upon our skin. Be mine my love and stay with me. A secret harvest lies in your tongue and deep within. Now each chalices for the other. Passions pressing and overflowing. The wine of love stirred within us urgent need is quickly growing. I kneel before you in awe of you. Worker of the field most highly favored My breast quivers within me to know that it was I for which you labored. I drink to you my love, my heart. You may take of all that is mine. It was God who sent you to the orchard . For you are sweeter than any fruit of the vine. Author's notes: God describes the land of Israel as a beautiful maiden. The Bible uses lush fruit metaphors to describe the beauty of Israel. She is compared to women and love. King Solomon compared his love to desirable fruits. Fruits have passionate qualities that make them easy to use as love metaphors. Song of Solomon 2:3 - His fruit was sweet to my taste. Psalm 34:8- O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him. Hosea 9:12- The LORD says, "O Israel, when I first found you, it was like finding fresh grapes in the desert. When I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the first ripe figs of the season. But then they deserted me for Baal-peor, giving themselves to that shameful idol. Soon they became vile, as vile as the god they worshiped. |