Eve’s Contrite Heart
BY EVE GAAL
The temptress swirled in the unknown garden,
facing the empty horizon.
Pointing excitedly,
she envisioned the walk-in closet,
a pool, and creeping bougainvillea.
Dreams fulfilled.
Butterflies—
a mountain view—even a Fuji apple swinging on a breeze.
Insufficient.
Not enough for one measly pie…
The apple hung quite gloriously outside the window—
near the peach tree,
tomato plants, and statuary. Not enough!
She wanted bushels.
Longer,
work-filled days,
helped reach loftier corporate goals.
First,
the apple tree turned to dust.
Then family crumbled into earth.
Sorry–she yelled—
to anyone who listened.
Fleeing to the desert—
to pray—
to mourn—
rosary beads glistening like remorseful tears—
of shame.
Oh,
banished children of Eve!
The water rose on the flat parched land—
producing lemons.
Baskets and baskets of lemons— stung her penitent soul.
Apologetically,
she baked,
volunteered,
crocheted gifts,
sent cards,
ran up long-distance bills,
endlessly inviting.
Made casseroles and stews—
passed sacrosanct wine—
unfolded the tablecloth,
and waited for communion.
Claustrophobic silence echoed around her.
Had she been shunned from Eden?
Today she kneels.
She asks for forgiveness.
She’s the final partygoer,
the last drunk,
the oblivious guest,
at a one-sided celebration.
Someday,
she anticipates the reunion—
hoping to embrace those who are gone.
Eve Gaal
Eve Gaal, holds a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She is the author of four novels: The Happy War, Penniless Hearts, Penniless Souls, and a short novella called The Fifth Commandment. After a long career in advertising, she also writes stories, poems, and articles for newspapers, anthologies, and magazines. A couple of years ago, she had a column in In2uition Magazine which was all about empowering women. Of course, her favorite assignments are those sweet emails asking her to write wedding vows, because after all, Eve’s a romantic at heart.
