Crab Apple Trees

Crab Apple Trees Dawn L. Kral-Kueter

Look at these squat trees
with their pea-sized crab apples
hanging, half-hidden against the summer sky.
These trees are meant for the change of season -
Early spring blooms to awaken the dead earth,
Crisp fall harvest to be plucked by small hands.

These dwarf trees are meant for children to stand under,
plucking sour fruits, making their bellies hurt,
showing what their stature can accomplish.
Diminutive trees with many branches -
limbs just thick enough to support a
thin fanny and tanned legs
punctuated with gritty, bare feet
swinging in and out of shade.

Still, it is summer today
and these undersized trees can barely offer respite
against the bright light flaring off a too, too sturdy world.
But it is enough.
The impenetrable, bitter apples a gentle reminder
of how delicacy hardens off
on its patient way toward fruition.