down the

sidewalk went the

apple she threw.

it fell from our

tree the night before.

one last throw.

until next fall anyway.

by the time we

return from india,

our apple tree

will be empty,

but we will

be full.

the past should

not stop

the future.

so we go.

the trip will

be worth it,

even if she

isn’t fully aware

of the benefits.

besides, i’m pretty

sure we can find

something else for

her to throw

every morning.