First Fruits

By Bethany J. Riddle

Outside my window

the leaves of our tomato plant

quiver,

from a slight wind.

Green fruits stand still

silently undergoing metamorphosis,

until

almost like magic –

they are red.

Ready

for plucking and

eating.

Bursting,

in an explosion of skin and seed.

Bethany J. Riddle is a writer, poet, and educator living in the Pacific Northwest. Her poetry has been published in multiple journals including Amethyst Review, Macrame Literary Journal and is upcoming at The Prose Poem where two of her poems were chosen for the Spring Short 2025 Shortlist. She is currently working on her first book of poetry. You can find her at https://substack.com/@bethanyjriddle and Instagram@bethanyjriddle.