10 Poems on Fruit – Rhyming Delight First Fig, Blackberry Picking & More.

Introduction: Poems That Make Fruit Even Sweeter

Have you ever bitten into a perfectly ripe fruit and felt like it was more than just food—almost like a little piece of poetry? Fruits have inspired poets for centuries, not just for their taste but for what they symbolize—growth, change, temptation, and even memories.

From the rich, honey-like sweetness of a fig to the sharp, tangy burst of blackberries, fruits often carry emotions that words alone can’t capture. That’s why so many poets have used fruit to tell stories about life, love, and time slipping away.

In this post, we’ll explore 10 beautiful poems about fruit, including famous works like “First Fig,” “Blackberry-Picking” by Seamus Heaney, and “After Apple-Picking” by Robert Frost. Each poem offers something special—whether it’s the joy of tasting something fresh or the bittersweet feeling of something coming to an end.

So, whether you love poetry, enjoy nature’s little details, or just want to read something refreshing, this collection is for you. Let’s dive in-

Poem – 1 First Fig by Edna St. Vincent Millay 

February 22, 1892- October 19, 1950

Theme and Introduction 

The poem First Fig symbolizes the beauty and brevity of life, much like a fruit that ripens quickly but doesn’t last forever. It speaks about living fully, embracing passion, and burning brightly—even if for a short time.

Full Text of the Poem

 My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—
It gives a lovely light!

Brief Analysis of First Fig

Edna St. Vincent Millay uses a simple yet powerful metaphor to describe a life lived with intensity.

·      “My candle burns at both ends” → Symbolizes a person who spends their energy quickly, whether through passion, ambition, or rebellion.

·      “It will not last the night” → Acknowledges the short-lived nature of such a lifestyle.

·      “Ah, my foes, and oh, my friends” → Recognizes that both critics and supporters will notice this way of living.

·      “It gives a lovely light!” → Despite its short duration, the light (or life) was beautiful and meaningful.

This poem connects to fruit by emphasizing ephemeral beauty—just like a fruit ripens quickly and must be enjoyed before it fades.

Poem 2 – The Little Peach by Eugene Field (1850–1895)

Introduction and Theme of the Poem

“The Little Peach” by Eugene Field is a short, humorous poem about a small peach that causes unexpected trouble. Known for his playful and lighthearted poetry, Field uses simple rhymes to tell an amusing cautionary tale.

The poem’s theme revolves around innocence and consequences, showing how something as harmless as a peach can lead to mischief. Its fun tone and rhythmic flow make it entertaining for children and casual readers.

Full Text of the Poem the Little Peach by Eugene Field

A little peach in the orchard grew,
A little peach of emerald hue;
Warmed by the sun and wet by the dew,
It grew.

One day, passing that orchard through,
That little peach dawned on the view
Of Johnny Jones and his sister Sue—
Them two.

Up at that peach a club they threw—
Down from the stem on which it grew,
Fell that peach of emerald hue.
Mon Dieu!

John took a bite and Sue a chew,
And then the trouble began to brew,
Trouble the doctor couldn’t subdue.
Too true!Under the turf where the daisies grew,
They planted John and his sister Sue,
And their little souls to the angels flew—
Boo hoo!

Brief Analysis of the Poem

Field uses rhyming and repetition to create a playful yet dark cautionary tale. The poem humorously warns about the dangers of eating unknown fruit, making it both entertaining and memorable.

Poem 3 – After Apple-Picking by Robert Frost (1874–1963)

Intro and the theme of the Poem

“After Apple-Picking” by Robert Frost, published in 1914, explores hard work, dreams, and the passage of time through apple-picking imagery. The speaker, weary from harvesting, drifts between wakefulness and sleep, blurring reality and dreams.

The poem reflects life’s efforts and endings, with apples symbolizing achievements and regrets. It serves as a meditation on success, missed opportunities, and the need for rest.

Full Text of the Poem After Apple-Picking

After Apple-Picking

By Robert Frost

My long two-pointed ladder’s sticking through a tree
Toward heaven still,
And there’s a barrel that I didn’t fill
Beside it, and there may be two or three
Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough.
But I am done with apple-picking now.
Essence of winter sleep is on the night
The scent of apples: I am drowsing off.
I cannot rub the strangeness from my sight
I got from looking through a pane of glass
I skimmed this morning from the drinking trough
And held against the world of hoary grass.
It melted, and I let it fall and break.
But I was well
Upon my way to sleep before it fell,
And I could tell
What form my dreaming was about to take.
Magnified apples appear and disappear,
Stem end and blossom end,
And every fleck of russet showing clear.
My instep arch not only keeps the ache,
It keeps the pressure of a ladder-round.
I feel the ladder sway as the boughs bend.
And I keep hearing from the cellar bin
The rumbling sound
Of load on load of apples coming in.
For I have had too much
Of apple-picking: I am overtired
Of the great harvest I myself desired.
There were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch,
Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall.
For all
That struck the earth,
No matter if not bruised or spiked with stubble,
Went surely to the cider-apple heap
As of no worth.
One can see what will trouble
This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is.
Were he not gone,
The woodchuck could say whether it’s like his
Long sleep, as I describe its coming on,
Or just some human sleep.

Brief Analysis of the Poem After Apple Picking

Frost uses rich imagery and shifting tones to depict fatigue, reflection, and the passage of time. The apples represent both achievements and unfulfilled potential, making the poem deeply reflective.

Poem 4 – This Is Just to Say by William Carlos Williams (1883–1963)

About the Poem

“This Is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams, published in 1934, is a short, playful poem written as a note of apology. The speaker confesses to eating someone else’s plums, but the tone remains light and teasing.

The poem’s theme revolves around temptation, guilt, and everyday moments. Despite its simplicity, it captures human emotions and the small joys of life through casual, conversational language.

Full Text of the Poem

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

Brief Analysis of the Poem

Williams uses simple, everyday language to turn a small act into a poetic moment. The poem’s conversational tone and vivid imagery make it both relatable and charming.

Poem 5 – The Apple Tree (Anonymous)

Introduction and theme of the poem The Apple Tree

“The Apple Tree” is a traditional folk poem that celebrates the beauty and abundance of apple trees. Unlike After Apple-Picking by Robert Frost, which reflects on labor and fatigue, this lighthearted poem about apples focuses on nature, growth, and the joy of harvesting fruit.

The theme of the poem revolves around gratitude and the gifts of nature. The apple tree symbolizes prosperity and nourishment, making it a timeless reminder of how nature provides for us.

Full Text of the Poem The Apple Tree

There stands a tree in the orchard green,
Heavy with fruit and leaves so keen.
Apples red and apples gold,
A sight so fair for young and old.

Birds do sing from branch to bough,
Beneath its shade, we rest for now.
A gift so sweet from earth to sky,
A blessing pure that grows so high.

Brief Analysis of the Poem

This poem about apples focuses on nature’s generosity and the joy of picking fruit. Unlike After Apple-Picking by Robert Frost, which reflects on exhaustion, this poem highlights the beauty and delight of apple picking.

Poem 6 – The Blueberry Girl (Unknown, Folk Poem)

About the Poem

“The Blueberry Girl” is a traditional folk poem that celebrates the joy of picking and eating fresh blueberries. This blueberries poem captures the excitement of a young girl gathering berries in the wild, enjoying nature’s sweet rewards.

The poem’s theme revolves around childhood adventure and simple pleasures. It highlights the delight of discovering nature’s gifts, making it a perfect blueberries poem for young readers.

Full Text of the Poem

A little girl went out one day,
To pick blueberries on her way.
Through the fields so wide and free,
Beneath the shade of an old oak tree.

Her basket filled with berries bright,
Juicy, plump, and sweet to bite.
Stained her fingers, lips so blue,
Laughing as the breezes blew.

Brief Analysis of the Poem

This blueberries poem uses simple rhymes and cheerful imagery to convey the happiness of picking fresh fruit. It reminds readers of the joy in small moments and the wonders of nature.

Poem 7 – A Basket of Summer Fruit by Christina Rossetti (1830–1894)

Introduction and theme of A Basket of Summer Fruit

A Basket of Summer Fruit” by Christina Rossetti is a vivid and descriptive poem that celebrates the abundance of ripe, juicy fruit in the summer season. Known for her rich imagery, Rossetti paints a delightful picture of nature’s sweet offerings.

The poem’s theme revolves around nature’s beauty and the fleeting joys of harvest. It highlights the freshness, richness, and vibrant colors of summer fruit, making it a joyful and sensory experience for readers.

Full Text of the Poem

A Basket of Summer Fruit

By Christina Rossetti

Peaches, quinces, plums, and cherries,
Apricots and strawberries,
All ripe together
In the summer weather,
—Morns that pass by,
Fair eves that fly;
Come and gather,
All ripe together,
Peaches, quinces, plums, and cherries,
Apricots and strawberries.

 Brief Analysis of the Poem A Basket of Summer Fruit

Rossetti uses rich, sensory details to make the reader appreciate the colors, textures, and tastes of fresh fruit. The poem is a celebration of seasonal abundance and nature’s gifts.

Poem 8 – Strange Fruit by Abel Meeropol (1903–1986)

Introduction and Theme of the Poem

“Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol, the author of Strange Fruit, was written in 1937 as a protest against racial violence in America. Later adapted into a song and famously performed by Billie Holiday in 1939, it remains one of the most powerful anti-lynching works in history. Though often associated with Holiday, many people mistakenly believe that Bessie Smith sang Strange Fruit, but she did not record it.

The poem’s theme revolves around injustice and brutality, using fruit imagery as a chilling metaphor for lynching. It contrasts nature’s beauty with the horrors of racism, leaving a lasting emotional impact on the reader.

Text of the Poem Strange Fruit

Strange Fruit

By Abel Meeropol

Southern trees bear a strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant South,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.

Brief Analysis of the Poem

Meeropol uses stark contrast and chilling imagery to expose racial violence. The juxtaposition of nature’s beauty with horrific injustice makes Strange Fruit unforgettable and deeply moving. The author of Strange Fruit crafted a work that still resonates today, remaining a haunting reminder of history’s darkest moments.

Poem 9 – The Plum Tree by Sara Teasdale (1884–1933)

Introduction and Theme of the Poem

“The Plum Tree” by Sara Teasdale, a well-known poet of the early 20th century, is a short and vivid poem celebrating the sweetness and joy of ripe plums. Teasdale’s poetry often explores nature’s beauty in simple yet powerful ways.

The poem’s theme revolves around pleasure, nature’s gifts, and appreciating fleeting moments. It reminds readers that true sweetness comes from patience and time, much like the ripening of fruit.

Full Text of the Poem

The Plum Tree

By Sara Teasdale

There’s a plum tree in the garden,
With its branches hanging low,
And the plums are soft and yellow
With a sunlight kind of glow.

But if you shake the tree too early,
The fruit will fall too soon,
And the sweetness that you long for
Won’t be ready until June.

Brief Analysis of the Poem

Teasdale uses gentle imagery and a rhythmic flow to show that good things take time. The poem teaches patience and appreciation for nature’s natural rhythms.

Poem 10 – Ripe Cherries by Christina Rossetti (1830–1894)

Introduction and Theme of the Poem

“Ripe Cherries” by Christina Rossetti is a short and delightful poem that celebrates the beauty and temptation of fresh, ripe cherries. Known for her rich imagery and simple yet expressive style, Rossetti often used nature to symbolize deeper meanings.

The poem’s theme revolves around temptation, abundance, and appreciation of nature’s sweetness. It highlights the vibrant colors and irresistible charm of ripe cherries, making it a lighthearted and joyful read.

Full Text of the Poem

Ripe Cherries

By Christina Rossetti

Cherries glowing in the sun,
Round and ripe, a crimson run,
Hanging heavy on the tree,
Pluck them, taste them, full and free.

Sweet as summer, rich and red,
Juicy morsels widely spread,
Bend the bough and take your share,
Nature’s bounty bright and fair.

Brief Analysis of the Poem

Rossetti uses rich, sensory language to paint a picture of nature’s beauty and the joy of fresh fruit. The poem captures the simple pleasure of picking and enjoying ripe cherries.

Conclusion

Fruit has inspired poetry for centuries, symbolizing sweetness, growth, and the passage of time. This collection of fruit-themed poems captures the joy of apple picking, ripe cherries, juicy blueberries, and more, blending nature’s beauty with deep emotions.

Whether it’s the playful tone of “This Is Just to Say” or the reflection in “After Apple-Picking,” each poem highlights life’s fleeting moments. Which poem about fruit resonated with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments!