Their perky stems for all the world
like miniature antennae
five red and yellow apples
some Dutch master's still life
sit on a plate whose glaze
of greengrey celedon reminds me
of Korean china I saw once
in a museum
was it in Kansas City?
another poet wrote about that glaze
so restful to the eyes
a perfect backdrop for the brighter colors
of the waxy skins
apples in February - and ripe!
while just outside the window
dry brown oak leaves
flutter in the frosty morning air

Steve Berman
Morgantown WV
February 2022

version 2

poem 559 - Winter Apples

Their perky stems alert like tiny
radio antennas
five red and yellow apples
a Dutch master's still life
sit on a plate whose glaze
of greengrey celedon reminds me
of Korean china I saw once
in a museum
was it in Kansas City?
another poet wrote about that glaze
so restful to the eyes
a perfect backdrop for the colors
and the sheen of waxy skins
apples in February!
while just outside the window
dry brown oak leaves
rustle in the frosty morning breeze

Steve Berman
Morgantown WV
February 2022