Crab apple tree (poetry)

[Underground River]

CRAB APPLE TREE

A walk down my street
To a crab apple tree
It was spring, the tree in bloom
I touched the flowers
And they smelled so good
Soft and sweet, not too strong
Like flowers should.

Summer came
I checked on my friend
The crab apple tree
Every time I walked down my street
The tree was there
Like a solid, loyal friend
The branches were all bowed down with fruit
So beautiful when low
With leaves and small apples
Oh so green and sour
As months went by
The crab apples grew
One day they were mostly gone
Removed by the keeper
Of the dear old tree
I was sad that the branches
Were no longer all bowed down and cute
With ripe and delicious large red fruit
But there were a few still
Lying discarded upon the ground
The tree's offering to the world
Not to eat, but to plant
I realized something then
All things must change
Must go in cycles
Flowers come, flowers go
Fruit forms, fruit falls
Fruit is taken away to eat
Some stays on the ground
To sprout and to make new trees
New lives and new fruit
There is nothing sad in autumn
Nothing wrong with fallen fruit
Nothing bad when branches release their loads
Nothing wrong with the keeper of the tree
Taking fruit to eat or give away
And so I ask you
My dear friend crab apple tree
May I take these apples I picked up off the ground
And plant them in the good Earth
That they might grow and live?
If so, I thank you for your gift
If no, I respect your wishes
Either way, thank you for your gift of knowledge
Your lesson that seasons must change
I will check on you in winter
When your branches are heavy with snow
And of course, dearest tree
I'll see you next spring!

Green Druid

[Crow]

That is beautiful!!!!

Green Druid, I thank you for sharing this. It is a wonderful perspective that has enriched me this day!

[Piastra]

i loved strolling with you to your tree...

carragh

[Underground River]

Thank you, Crow and Carragh, for your kind words!
I haven't ever posted a poem here so wasn't sure what sort of reception this one would get. :lol: Btw, Crow, I love your quote in the signature.
Green Druid

[Night Hawk]

:apple::apple: BEAUTIFUL poem, GreenDruid!!! That sounds like an AMAZING tree!

[Ruthie]

Beautiful! and full of insight and such an image. I, too, walked with you to the tree. Thank-you!

[Kaya-Nita]

This is a wonderful reminder of how life is meant to go on and change with the Wheel of life.

[Oaken]

This is lovely - a very evocative picture of your tree and your relationship with it.

[Jeb]

Wonderful poem Green Druid. Really liked it. Makes me remember an apple tree near my old house. Thank you.

[Caritas]

really nice depiction of the cycle of life!

I love the fallen fruit ideas....