I see the apple tree. Itโs dark-gray and brown, ridged bark, with Y-shaped branches splitting upward like outstretched arms from its knotted trunk. Its leaves fill every branch. The 2 x 4 Dad and I nailed onto the trunk below the split, so Frankie could plant his foot to climb it.
I see him in it. And us playing tag in the backyard using this apple tree as a base. I hear his laughter and shouts as I tickle him while he stands between the branches.
I donโt see another apple tree in a small yard next to a concrete patio. One with a similar, Y-shaped split branch growing from a similar knotted trunk. One that also possessed a full canopy, and up which I climbed and played with Dean and other friends.
robin songsย ย an unflowered apple treeย ย awaits autumn
first published inย Image Curve, September 20, 2018
Photo byย Kai Dรถrner
for dVerse Poets’ย Open Link Night #228 (pubtended by Mish)
Frank J. Tassone 
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