Autumn in the Orchards

autumn is felt keenest
In October
in the orchards

culled apples
overripe, overlooked,
fallen apples
forgotten, strewn
on the ground, molding
rotting
reabsorbing
into the fertile earth
as the leaves
simultaneously yellow
and tumble
covering all

in the orchards
where we walk the seasons,
white blossoms of spring,
maturing fruit of summer,
the decay of autumn,
winter barren,
the sadness
of time’s passing is felt most
in October

© 10.2008 Helen Bar-Lev