Americana Apples

Borne across all unforgiving oceans,
It roots itself in the heart of the land.
Food and shelter for generations of

Juicy faced, apple - eating children
born to cornfields and lemonade.
Smiling the innocence of a mild spring day
just right for chasing bounding balls
through vacant lots into the arms of

Smiling men and women rich with future,
Stride the unpaved road to freedom.
Builders, tree planters, map makers.
Architects of work, honor, family,
Learned at the patient knees of

Ancients, lore keepers, purveyors of wisdom,
vigilant stewards of history,
whose seeds of knowledge are relayed
over checkerboards suspended
from the scent of apple barrels.

These scattered branches come to one
and blend their honest flavors into fruit
nurturing hope in this land called America.

© Deane P. Goodwin