Early Harvest - a poem for Apple Day

In the Blushing Golden sunlight of autumn

they gather in the Parkland of the Garden Royale for the Gala.

Captain Kidd, master of ceremonies, conducts

Edith Smith, the Duchess's Favourite

as she plays Jazz interpretations of Greensleeves

and Lady in Red, enjoying her time in the Limelight

while a Jester juggles in the Grove.

Cardinal von Galen appears in his Flamboyant robes

to pray to the Saints Edmund and Everard

shadowed by Reverend Morgan his long standing Rival.

Doctor Harvey is close by in case of accidents

(the Flamenco and Polka can lead to collisions!)

and keeps a wary eye on his daughter

Annie Elizabeth, Sweet Sixteen, in a Silken gown

who's enjoying a Waltz with Johnny Voun.

After the dance, the young man gives Annie

a Red Bouquet as a Keepsake (oh what a Surprise!)

and is thanked by her sweet Maiden's Blush.

Karmyn de Sonnaville wanders round, nose in the air

and Pink Pearls in her hair, followed

by the Beauties of Albany, Sutton and Hampshire

all wearing sweet scented Garlands.

“This Porter's Perfection!” says James Grieve,

the Bedfordshire Foundling, who's Tickled Pink

as he lies by the Wayside and feasts

(as he so rarely can) on Scotch Dumpling with Cinnamon Spice.

They dance until the Rosy Glow of Sunset,

then watch the Splendour of the Northern Lights come out

and Saturn and Jupiter fall into alignment.

It could have been a State Fair! A Holiday! The Diamond Jubilee or even Christmas!

They agree as they go home. Everyone speaks in dulcet tones

and dares to hope for a Bright Future, Good Fortune and ultimate Victory!

Can we then think beyond Golden Delicious

and organise a Revival?

a poem for Apple Day.

and here's the website where I found all the names of the heritage apple varieties I used in the poem.  

 

You may also be interested in Apples and People, a website devoted to the global story of apples.