Tomatoes
Scarlet skins pulled taut
seeds swimming in sweet-sour juice
ready to explode
Peppers
Aglow from within
ruby, emerald, topaz
gems of fire and spice
Onions
Peel away layers
tissue first, then satin sheets
tearful unveiling
Watermelons
Chunky red slush in
green-striped camouflage harbours
tiny black missiles
Corn
Rows of golden teeth
wrapped in silk; green leafy lips
grin from ear to ear
Karla Wendelin is a former children’s literature professor who writes poetry with a nonfiction focus. Her magazine credits include poems in Jack and Jill and High Five. Karla gets inspiration for writing and watercolor painting from long nature walks. Her website, Poetry Studio, provides teaching resources, reviews of recent children’s poetry books, and tips for writing poetry with students.