In my writing group last week, the tutor brought in a plate laden with slices of crisp green apple and halved cherry tomatoes, an interesting combination. We were encouraged to write about anything that arose. Here’s what I wrote:

Oh cherry tomato, you are so red

You grow on the vine and not in a bed

I pick you so ripe right before you burst

You make my soup better for sure, it’s not worse.

I mix you with onion, get tears in my eyes, I add

garlic and basil, a snip of fresh chives

Because you’re a fruit you could be confusing

You make good gazpacho, you sure take a bruising

I sneak you in salads, I smuggle you in

To a number of dishes, your flavour’s a win

Tomato you’re sweet, you’re tasty, you’re tart

You’re small you’re petite, you’re a work of art.