A pomegranate yields under the knife
that slices it into equal quarters
and stains an oval, wooden cutting board
when blood-red juice escapes from its tough peel.

A pomegranate has secret chambers,
pith-webbed dimensions folded on themselves
and accessed only by a probing thumb
where an array of ruby seeds is found.

Within one pomegranate is hidden
half a cup of seeds. When mashed, these produce
two ounces of juice, which is just enough
to flavor a couple of martinis. 

The tart juice of a pomegranate seed
may betray your daughter and consign her
to an unwelcome suitor, your sorrow
at this breaking the world into seasons.