The strawberry basket
by Afnaan Abu-Zahra, Al-Taqwa College
Years 5 – 6 Ekphrastic Poetry Finalist
‘Strawberries and Bananas in a Basket’ by E. Meyner (c. 1861)
In a woven basket they sit so bright,
strawberries full of red delight.
Small seeds like pepper specks appear,
tiny shiny dots, like scattered diamonds.
Some berries look a little rough,
but that’s what makes them feel like enough.
Their green tops peek in the light,
like flags that say, “today is bright.”
Beside them, peeled bananas wait,
soft yellow, calm, and sweet-looking straight.
They curl in pieces, pale and smooth,
like a moon that you can almost touch.
I notice how the red stands bold,
while the banana’s yellow turns ripe.
The basket holds them side by side,
like a snack time picture in a frame outside.
If I could taste them right now,
I’d guess the strawberries would taste sweet in my mouth.
The bananas would feel smooth and mushy
like a pillow that you can eat.
Together they make a small fruit mix,
bright and gentle, what a fix.
Red and yellow, soft and sweet
a simple basket, still a treat.