Apple

ripens wondrously

at the perfect rate

to realize its

myriad potentials

sweet or tart

red, green, or yellow

reaching maturity

embraced by sun and air

only to be plucked

from its lofty cradle

protective seal pealed away

cool juices drained

golden meat consumed

until only the core remains

the apple’s essence

born from a season

of growth

then decay

sweet quintessence

tart stimulation

crafted over time

the apple 

generously gifts seeds

for a budding tomorrow

© William Vollrath

Apples
Illustration from Luther Burbank's
Half-hour Experiments with Plants (1922)
Library of Congress
Photo from Wikimedia Commons