Now is the time of the crab-apple

        Now is the time of the crab-apple

        small coals of fire

        beneath the frost-cracked panes

        of winter.

        Whoever planted you

        . . . had faith in this morning

        and this moment:

        Magpies carolling your nativity.

        And it is only you

        that connects us

        with an ancient paradise

        filled with grace.

        An Eden of dreams,

        imagination and delight.

        Now is the time of the crab-apple

        we harvest in our hearts

        and store for darker times

        within our souls.

These poems are from my new collection IN THE APRICOT DARKNESS (view the cover and contents below in my recent posts). They are now being published individually, daily under 'recent posts' on my blog and will be available shortly as an eBook that can be read online or downloaded for free.