THE HUMBLE APPLE
There should be a decree when apples arrive,
or maybe a round of applause
for the annual debut of this wondrous fruit,
so humble in origin, so bold in fruition,

a tiny seed,
unassuming,
decidedly modest,
nary a hint of what it will become,

we wait for the great unveiling
after soil, light, rain, sun and bees
coalesce in a wondrous alchemy,

how can it be
that a simple seed brings
such perfection,

bravo, bravo, dear apple,
we applaud this gift
that we don’t deserve,
but are happy to serve
in a hundred different ways each fall.

Art by my cousin, Kathleen Garvey Quinn