(from Luke 6:44, with Acts 5:30, 1 Peter 2:24)

the caressing breeze blows through the branches
of the apple orchard, so leaves soothingly rustle.
the branches, weighed down with the bounty
of summer sun and discharged rain clouds,
welcome the wind with uplifted arms, prepared
for an expansive and loving, intimate embrace.

the apples catch the sunlight with a flash reflection,
glowing with the overflow of gathered summer luster.
shiny, gleaming, fruit, calling out to passing eyes
with promises of luscious taste and juicy chins
and satiated hunger, a suggestion of life itself,
deposition on the quality of roots, seeds, soil.

the afternoon darkness pervaded the skullish hill,
mingling with the taunts, tears and terrorized faces
surrounding the trees, recently planted in the dry earth,
their fruit hanging, in agony, with blood juices trickling
downward from uplifted arms nailed to branches
when the Depleted Fruit on the middle Tree expired.

that Fruit, Who said "take, eat My body given"
and "My flesh is really food, My blood truly drink"
has fed countless souls with the fruit of His Tree,
the fruit of guiltless peace and graveless prospects,
shiny, gleaming lives, testifying to hope, mercy.
so- by its plentiful fruit you know His healthy Tree.