Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TRADER by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: I TRADED A GIRL
Last Line: NOW LIE IN IT.
Subject(s): DESIRE; FRUIT; LOVE;

I traded a girl
two apples for an orange.
I hate citrus
but she was beautiful.
As lovers we were rotten --
this was before the sexual revolution --
and we only necked and pawed,
"Don't write below the lines!"
But now she's traded
that child's red mitten
I only touched
for a stovepipe hat,
four children,
and a milkman husband.
Soon I learn there will be no milkmen
and she'll want to trade again.
Stop. I won't take a giant Marianas
trench for two red apples.
You've had your orange
now lie in it.



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