after a line by Tracy K. Smith

Was she testing for poison
When she said "eat,"
Fondling the sin in her hands:

Or was it just
An apple. Tapooach.

The whole time it was
Breathe, muscle, walk

                *

So he considered the shape
Of her breast and reached

For the tapooach,
Thinking: this is the only
Earth. Adamáh.

                *

And he named himself
Adam. Adám.

First man of adamáh,
To have the fruit, seed

To pluck from the tree
Of more than one apple.
Tapoochim—

Traceable to the blossom
Of all things,


                *

And the whistle
Of a thing
Called bird. Tzipoor,

And the hiss and rattle of a thing
Called nachash.

Muscling its way.
Nearby.