I liked the imagery of this poem. Especially the first line. The effect was more visual for me than religious. It was a sensuous opening. I liked that.

Also, since we were given the assignment in fall, it was a great time for apple picking. Growing up in Central New York, I used to go apple picking, and that appealed to me—memories from childhood.

I took one of my roommates, Sarah, and drove to the Beak and Skiff Apple Farm, in Lafayette. She's the first person I thought of who could pose as the poem's Eve, because she's got that dramatic look. She had never been apple picking before. So it was nice to show her what it's like in Central New York, away from campus.