Day 662

The dead hover in the air
like leaves, like particles
of mist. Like ghosts of fruit
from a destroyed abundant tree.
They will not be gently
laid into the earth. They will not
be covered with petals and soft dirt.
They are ripe or withered. Young fruits,
green and turgid. Buds
that should have become fruit.
Blossoms opened and never opened.
Fruits shattered, crushed, mauled,
still oozing their juices.