The Best Apple

The Best Apple

An apple hung upon a tree,
It stood out from the rest.
Ruby red, sun ripened skin
I knew I’d picked the best!

Reaching up, with gentle grasp,
The luscious prize was mine.
I softly stroked its waxen peel
Then buffed it to a shine.

But as I sauntered, nonchalant,
To take my gift that day,
Something made me turn around,
And held me in its sway.

A shimmering beheld my ears,
Sounds; too hard to explain,
The sun shone in the blue, up high,
Yet, all I heard was rain.

Then, as I gazed upon the tree,
And watched in disbelief,
The biggest diamond teardrops
Fell, from every golden leaf.

“Why the weeping?” questioned I,
“Your fruit is for the taking.”
“You took the best!” was its reply,
By now, the boughs were shaking.

With full remorse, to reassure
Its flesh would not be wasted,
I said it was the sweetest
Apple, I had ever tasted!

So, there I lay in noonday warmth,
Within the fruit tree’s shadow,
I dug a hole to hide the core,
Its precious seeds now safe below.

Oh so many years ago,
Three score, or maybe more,
A sobbing tree had touched my heart,
As glistening tears fell to the floor.

Now, I sit within the fruit tree’s shadow,
Shoulders draped with shawl,
To marvel at the wondrous sight,
Near the ruby orchard wall.

6th September 2019

As Christmas draws nearer, thoughts turn to those who will be facing the season, maybe for the first time, with one or more person less with whom to share their festivities.
It’s an incredibly tough situation to deal with when we would usually be getting together with family & friends, and there is no easy way to get through the empty feelings and deep sorrow of missing someone special.
I’d like to share a random, but heartwarming conversation I had about loss, back at the beginning of September, which had a profound effect on me.

I was told a (shortened) story from some years ago, about a child who had tragically died. Its sibling was too young to understand what had happened, where they had gone, & even more heartbreaking, why they wouldn’t be coming back.
The father had to think of a loving and easy explanation to help the bereft, remaining child understand the terribly sad situation.
After a while, he thought of a fitting scenario. He gently asked the child, if they could choose any apple from the apple tree, which one would they take?
The child answered, ”The best one.” After a little more discussion,
the penny dropped, and finally, his simple, clever comparison was the beginning of the child’s acceptance of the awful reality that had befallen the family.

The story touched me very much.
It inspired me to write this poem and made me think on.
Those we have loved and lost, for however short or long, leave indelible marks within, that can never be erased, however painful they are to bear.
Yet, our love, and their legacies live on; paid forward to those left behind. The seeds they planted, and the effects from how they touched our lives, flourish and grow, spreading out like the branches and roots of a beautiful tree. Ultimately, they are gifted to the future.
Some of the best gifts can never be bought.
Merry Christmas everyone.

Follow Gloria Smud on WordPress.com