Cores

Cut a kiwi

equatorially:

no pips, no stone.

Avocado:

pole-to-pole

all around the stone

twist to separate.

Orange, lemon, lime:

equatorially

squeeze the juice

leave the pith and pips.

Papaya, melon:

pole-to-pole

scoop out the mushy core.

Mango:

find the flat sides of the stone

slice alongside

almost pole to almost pole

close as you can.

Apple, pear:

pole-to-pole

in half then quarters

cut the core from each.

   —

But no, for once

cut an apple

equatorially

see its secret:

the apple is a five-pointed fruit.