APPLE TREE

The back door is open,
blossoms float in.
You’re making coffee
out in the garden.
The freeway’s gone silent.
Flags have gone up.
I reach for you laughing
and then I wake up.

If there was an apple tree
up above it all, I’d scrape my knee
climbing up to pick a fruit to share.
I’d split it crosswise to see the tiny star:
I’ll give you half
take it if you dare.

They say Justice wears a blindfold
and holds scales of gold,
I come to Her asking
Which choice will unfold?
In one I put the regret of driving away,
In the other goes the weight
of what it’d mean to stay.

If there was an apple tree
up above it all, I’d scrape my knee
climbing up to pick a fruit to share.
I’d split it crosswise to see the tiny star:
I’ll give you half
take it if you dare.

I know you gave it all, all you could give.
And Darlin’ what we’ve distilled
grows finer with each passing year.
And I bet it would fetch a pretty penny
out there,
but business is not my style –
I’d rather just pour and share.