The Orchardist’s Future
the host muted,
I grow bored on the call
and dream, that I bite
an apple great papaw grew
or might’ve, in an orchard
now unfindable
it’s crisp, with sweet tang
like fermented bread, and
my teeth pulp its flesh
until only a core remains
with coal black seeds,
even phantom apples hold seeds,
and I wonder, as they take root
whether the orchardist dreamed
one day his offspring,
his trees of fruit and family,
would still be together,
and I wonder, what would he feel
these hundred years later,
with trees toppled,
mountaintops removed,
orchards gone,
and I wonder, would he weep
at our demise,
or just plant new seeds
6 thoughts on "The Orchardist’s Future"
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This is beautifully done! I just heard a segment on old apple varieties today and find the subject matter fascinating. Thanks.
Thanks Nancy. My great grandfather indeed had an orchard, and Kentucky was once filled with them, but no more, so it’s kinda … my homage?
I really enjoyed this, how it moved from the speaker to the grandfather with the repetition of “I wonder”
Thanks Shaun. Trying different things here and there, and your feedback is most welcome!
Lovely and sensory
I love how you move us to the final question. Good work!