Sestina

Cherries burst throughout the tree
Walking through the patch of eden the farmer
whistles for his dog.
Harnessed to his back a basket, that shifts as he chases the birds
descending upon the fruit.

A discourse concerning the fruit,
encourages a spritely dance from the leaves of the tree.
Observing the scene the farmer
begins to anticipate the winter as his dog,
shivers froma strong gust that knocks over a basket.
The duo heads for shelter, their flight accented with the song of birds.

In the pond fish scatter because the birds
pass through this ancient farm who's fruit
rots as it lies at the roots of the tree.
No longer can the beaming sun distract the farmer
and his sole companion, the dog,
can sense the change as he feels the wind shake the basket.

Lying in a dark corner covered with the basket
emits odors of earth, birds
labor, love, loss, and fruit.
Covered beneath the recepticle the same word carved on the tree.
"I give you all I have till I have nothing to give," the farmer
fearing the memory of these words meaning, clings to the dog

The grasp tightens until the dog
yelps and scurries away knowcking over the basket
in the process. The contents spill and bird
feathers float through the air drenched in the juice of fresh fruit.
The old man then stares out at the tree, and he reminices about life as a young farmer.

He says, "I always wanted to be a farmer,
with a wife and a loving dog."
he places the spilt items back in the basket.
All th ewhile admiring the freedom of the birds
outside, as they fly over the fruit
still steadily dropping from the trees.

Life leaves the tree, spirit leaves the farmer.
The dog returns to his beloved basket,
as the birds feast on fallen fruit.