harvest (apple seeds) by Susanne Masuda

'we planted an apple tree',

you said, your little face beaming

and your hands covered in earth.

'we planted it next to the trampoline

because then it will grow over it

and we can jump

and pick the apples.'

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes

and, later, thinking

how you would not mind

if the apples were

red or green,

you and your friend,

white and black.

---

An ex-journalist now working in a library, Susanne Masuda [she/her] has always loved to play with language. She studied English and German literature in Germany – her home country where she lives with her Japanese family and a crazy Bulgarian street dog – and in the UK. Twitter: @londonlass_77