South to south and further south

to reach the most southerly apple trees

close to the chill breeze

of an ice-melting world,

a last green garden before

the uninviting frozen continent,

a small fruitful island after

 

heartache and disappointment

set in around the tender springtime blooms

before so many

inevitable betrayals,

a long way from dry white grass

or the loneliness of crowded cities,

an island mapped by childhood’s dreams.