Laura Hinshaw
does it fear the wide and rotting pile below?
apples dead and dropped
seeds sure never to sprout
sidewalk final destination
or is the purpose served
just being rotten apples
just being rotten seeds
the promise of a tree to come
only an illusion.
it’s not a shame
it’s not a waste—
the sweet and browning apple flesh,
crushed by all our neighbors’ feet
is good enough
it is good enough
even if it’s disgusting (to you)
even if it’s sad (to you)
these apples are beyond you.
way beyond.