When does an apple sleep?
Does it sleep upon the branch?
Does it sleep in the rays of sunny days
or when moonlight rides the ranch?
I want to sleep as the apple sleeps;
instead of, in spite of, the plan
to prepare me for that eternal rest
which separates spirit and man.
Yet I keep coming back to that question,
just when does an apple sleep?
Does it sleep on only rainy days
or when pickers come to reap.
When someone or something is fast asleep,
they're neither here nor there.
They must be someplace in between,
still close and still aware.
I do not want to die
for things that die are soon forgotten.
When apples sleep, they're red and ripe,
in death they soon turn rotten.
So I think that I've decided,
apples sleep when they're released
from the stem that binds them to the tree
and before their life has ceased.
From their birth as just a blossom
till the stem can hold no more,
the apples' eyes are wide awake,
enjoying life to the core.
It's at this time that apples sleep,
on their journey to the ground.
Free from all but gravity,
free from sight and sound.
A time when they're not here or there.
A time to call their own.
A time between two different worlds.
A time to sleep alone.
As I lay here, I am thinking,
"I'm not dead, I'm just asleep."
I'm sleeping the sleep of an apple,
as the tree I left begins to weep.
Author notes
I related this to that point where a person is released from this life, but they have not yet been put in the ground, and they are in between two distinct places.
Written June 8th, 2006
A contest entry
- Apple by ea.
300 points, ended June 9, 2006, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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I have often wondered about that in between. What actually happens? Where is the thought=process, does it exist. Your poem makes me wonder even more. What a wondrous musing! You definately earned the BRONZE with this brilliant rhyming poem that causes the reader to give much time and consideration to that dimension between life and death.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Much Love & Many Blessings,
Renee
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John, I loved your poem. You truly found what you were looking for in writing this piece. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hearing you actually read it aloud was even better. You make it sound so easy. I, for one, know it isn't. Keep this up and you'll be too good for the rest of us.
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This is awesome! Love the metaphorical use of the apple. This piece flowed very nicely. I think the 6th stanza is the one that brings this whole piece together. I enjoyed it to the core
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lovely, as sweet as an apple and as thoughtful its' tree....
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"So I think that I've decided,
apples sleep when they're released
from the stem that binds them to the tree
and before their life has ceased."
Just so eloquent -- really, this made me cry. I think it's a spiritual release, not necessarily between death and being put in the ground but definitely being "in between," which a couple other contestants touched on, too. This does capture both ideas put forth of the mouldering and the shining apple. Very interesting to see the other entries if you have a chance. Thank you, John.
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WONDERFUL POEM
This was an excellent write. Your rhyme was wonderful. Not forced at all. The imagery left an impression about Apples I won't soon forget.
Thank you for sharing this truly excellent poem. Best of luck . Take care, Sandy
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John, I must say i will never again pass an apple-tree without thinking of this
I am not quite sure what the contest is about( but you have definitely put something to think about in this write. Doe this aply to other tree-fruit as well? And btw...i will feel guilty now when biting into an apple ( for have I not contributed to a violent deat then) ? Just kidding----found this quite interesting in a phylosophical<-----sp? way
xoxoxo
reenie
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Cool
Now this straddles ea's choices but it does do it so beautifully. I love the rhyming structure to this, though you play on some predictable lines they come off as fresh. Great write.
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1 - 8 of 8
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