In our garden
is an apple tree grove
planted by Danny and Dolores.
Last year
the oldest apple tree
had its most fruitful harvest
ever –
dotted with tiny, green berries
that swelled and grew
into green and red apples
glinting in the sunlight.

Seeing the apples
reminded us of Dolores
who always watched their progress
like a hawk,
pointing them out to us
with pride
from her kitchen window.

A few feet away
stood the youngest apple tree.
Last year, for the first time,
it bore no fruit,
no leaves –
it looked dead to the world.

Seeing that tree
reminded us of Danny.
Danny had green fingers, you see,
and was frequently heard to utter
the same advice
on any ailing plant,
“Ach, give sure it a chance –
you never know!”

And so , when the apple tree
appeared to die,
we did just that.
When winter came
Paul pruned the tree hard
and left it …

Now, spring is here
and our youngest apple tree
is showing signs
of new life –
green leaves are unfurling
from tiny buds!

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of spring –
for the new life
that it brought
to our apple tree
and for the hope
that it brings to us
at a time
when the world
is in dire need of it.

And thank you
for Danny and Dolores
whose beautiful garden
continues to bring joy
and happy memories
after they have gone.

© Claire Murray