Poetry Out Loud: Mediation on a Grapefruit

I chose "Mediation on a Grapefruit" by Craig Arnold because I like his vivid description of peeling a grapefruit and the message behind it. He finds the beauty in such a seemingly trivial task, and appeals to all of the senses. Grapefruits are special to me because I usually do not have them as often as other fruits, since they take more time and work to eat. They are sweet as well as have a subtle bitterness. I appreciate the beginning of the poem, where Arnold states a universal truth that mornings are always a fresh start to the day. They are not yet marred by agitations or worries. He compares the grapefruit to a basketball, so the act of peeling it seems like a game. When I have eaten a grapefruit for breakfast, I do not realize I think about it, but his poem reminds me that I share many of his same considerations. I like the initial slight mist followed by the sweet scent when I peel open the grapefruit. It is also fun to carefully try to not pierce the delicate pulp when I break apart one of the fruit's sections. He describes the juice pooling into the bowl, which I did not used like. My mom would drink it for me, until I realized it is the same as the fruit. Arnold makes me view a grapefruit differently by using unlikely comparisons. When I think of a grapefruit, I am not reminded of pepper, but this description portrays the refreshing taste well. The simplicity of enjoying a grapefruit mimics the simplicity of the poem. It shows that one should take pleasure in the even the simplest acts in life. However, Arnold also gives the grapefruit deeper meaning about life, and I especially like his final lines. He acknowledges the fact that each year becomes more difficult to live and work, but it is worth it. The poem is pensive and creates a sense of calmness.