The apple pond sits at the bottom of a field

circled by hedges and trees

its water gloomy and muddy and still

sprinkled with leaves and twigs

The apples mature

only to tumble into the pond one at a time

where they rest on the water rotting and fermenting

decade after decade

Spring has come early this year

helping the apples blossom

filling the air with the scent of sun and grass

painting the pond different shades, different hues