for Steve

Not every bough in paradise

is laden with ripened fruit

hanging eye-level for you to pick

Listen – there is a hush in sacrifice

when fruit falls overripe

sweet upon the ground

Waiting for the gathering up

the crush of the cider press

numinosity dripping in a jug

Rendered sacred for cool evenings

to sip alone or savor

with family and friends

Fragrant blossoms blooming

wafting on the breeze

ground broken open by the thaw

12-1-19

*numinosity: quality of an experience of overwhelming awe, mystery, and profound spiritual or divine presence