Husbandry

Admiration blossomed like a fruit tree when we met.
Over time, our branches intertwined.
We opened bark and grafted, hot and wet.

We dispensed sweet succulent esteem
for one another's fruits, but for awhile
confused our roots.

I tried to grow an apple just like yours,
but all I grew was oranges with cores.
You tried to grow an orange just like mine,
but only grew an apple with a rind.

That was then and this is now.
We have a stronger sense of our own boughs.
Though we support each other sure as stone,
we understand our flavors are our own.

First published in Skylark, Perdue University