Fertile Valley

©2011. Alicia Funk. All rights reserved.

©2011. Alicia Funk. All rights reserved.

Down the road
beyond the bridge
a fig tree,
a fig giver
of delicious fruit–
free fruit grows
right there,
right past where
we drive every day,
but forgot to look.
Forgot to know, when
figs are ripe,
blackberries
deep black,
and sweet,
gooseberries,
dandelions,
acorns, nutty
and pure,
walnuts,
mushrooms,
textured, meaty.
Even the bright, exotic
oranges and grapefruit,
fall and rot
on the ground
past where we drive.

© 2011 Agnes Stark