I love plums. We read William Carlos Williams’s “Icebox Plums” at our wedding. Plums are a difficult fruit, so rarely perfect, but when they are, all is right in the world. And I like that they keep you wanting, searching for the next.

Artichokes would have to be the vegetable. Also difficult but in a different way. You have to get past its thistles, and cut and trim, and it’s not easy to cook. I like a vegetable that makes you work hard for its gifts.

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold