Crabapple Tree

a poem about childhood summer days

Decades ago there were only TV screens
no screens on phones existed
Phones were things with a cord, sometimes hung on a wall
with an annoying tone that persisted

So, not beholden to technology
summers were times for outdoor adventure
When the sun beckoned
we weren't staying home, for sure

We felt free; the time was ours
time to scrounge up change for the neighborhood pool
There were no rules or strictness
for now there wasn't any school

So in our bare feet we walked
trodded on the hot pavement
My sisters and I
did not care about that; off we went

With our threadbare towels
to the pool behind the park
Staying until were were toasted
staying until almost dark

On the way home there was a gift
near the front of a neighbor's yard
A sprawling crabapple tree
that beckoned us toward

Each of us took one of these hard, tart apples
after a very hot day
I can still remember how they tasted
and I can honestly say

It is one of my favorite memories of summer
passing by the crabapple tree
Nature's gift to our wanting hearts
given so pure and free.