That bright red apple

That bright red apple                                                                               

The great sin in the garden

was not disobedience but doubt –

a lack of faith in the perfection

and benevolence of God.

Sparked by a mortal fear

swiftly it flared into pride

and from there broadened

into resentment, envy, greed . . .

until, in head-swimming fashion,

the hapless couple found themselves

outside the fastened gate,

having to wander the earth

under the burden of their own

willful, intrinsic, self-perpetuating sins.

O child of God!  Still you forsake Eden

for the lure that bright red apple.