amygdalin

bitter
almonds
on the tongue
poison

who knew?

taste buds
alive with flavour
for a moment

head aches
pulse races

the pip
the kernel
cherry-stone
apple-core
sweetness
and a toxic
heart
exacts
the price
of appetite
our desire
for more

but
the seed
protects
itself

© BH, 2019

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Poetry24 Sunday challenge - 28th April - PIP. I generated this from this: 

Independent
Man Nearly Dies After Eating Cherry Stones
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/man-cherry-stones-nearly-dies-eating-fruit-blackpool-matthew-creme-a7864261.html

BBC
Lancashire man poisoned after eating cherry seeds
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-40738573

As I say, the seed protects itself…