Star Apple

a poem by Roger B Rueda

A neighbour observed a man all of eighty
but so full of life
put a star apple seedling
into the ground.
The neighbour asked the old man
‘Do you believe
you can delight in star apples
from that tree?’
A star apple tree
is in fruit about eight summers.
The old man rested
smilingly on his shovel.
He said ‘No, I'm really
beginning
to feel my age.
But all my life I have been
enjoying the smooth and
creamy star apples
but never from a tree
I have put
into the ground before.
I wouldn’t have
had star apples
if others took star apples
with them when they went,
so I mustn't leave bearing
this gift unique
to this soil,’ grinning from ear to ear.