The Orchard

Where youth blossoms

 

I don't know about the little voice inside my head that tells me things. Sometimes, it says I crave pizza or a cheeseburger. Other times, I'm told that I've wasted my life. Is it just one voice in there, or several? Again, I don't know, but on this cold, winter day, I'm told to visit the old orchard at the end of Daphne Lane--a place I haven't been to in years.

I see it in the distance now, and my, how it looks different. It's not like I remember it all.

All right, I'm here. There are weeds everywhere. The trees look like they've not been pruned or cared for in forever. Why would anyone neglect them so? It was always such a beautiful place, especially in the spring.

My friends and I played here. Old Mr. Jones didn't care, just as long as we didn't climb the trees or damage them in any way. We played tag. Sometimes, it was kick the can. Heh-heh, that was really fun! I remember Evelyn Turner getting so mad at me for catching her that she hit me with a green pear. Being ten, I picked it up and hit her back. She turned out to be such a beautiful young woman. What a little jerk I was.

So, what am I doing here in this place of ragged old trees with crumbling bark? Did they want to see me again, now that my skin is as cracked and withered as theirs? Did they summon me here on this cold, grey day just so I'd recall those long ago times when we all were young and vibrant? When boys had rosy cheeks, girls wore colorful dresses, and fruit trees blossomed? 

I'm such a fool! Only a senile old person would hobble out here on this dreadful day. I'll be lucky to even make it back home.

Thunk!

Hey, something hit me. What on earth? It ... it's a green pear.

Author's Note

It's me, thinking about time again.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Delightful! I really love this little vignette, that brought me back to my own set of different memories, which often blot out the aches & pains of old age. Thank God I still have a fertile imagination, becuz the rest of my life is pretty barren these days. Your story celebrates this muddled acceptance in a fun but melancholy way.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I want to believe in eternal springtime.

[Shannon]

Nostalgia brought to bear. Perhaps kinship with the trees was pulling you?

[Samuel Dickens]

Perhaps so. Like our relationship with water, trees often seem more friends than non-sentient plants. More likely, I want magic to exist.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Love it when that inner urging takes us to a place and starts a flood of memories. This was delightful, Sam, as all your work is. I loved the feel of it, as if you were taking us along and chatting as we walked through that orchard, your memories, and your thoughts.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I'm honored.

[B. Boileau]

There nothing to com-pear this to. I loved it, as I do all your works. I find myself reading them multiple times out of shear enjoyment
your a peach Sam !

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Bill. I'm honored.

[roarke]

heh, read it again, just as well written and enjoyable as the first time Sam.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank yee, Bill. May springtime always find you.

[Angi]

Ha! I always want to race ahead to get to the punchline, Sam. This one made me grin. I was going to yell at you for the melancholia, but the ending made up for that. I love ya, you old fart! Ha! Angi~

PS: This was but a snippet. I am going in for another. See you in a few.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Angi. I wear the moniker, "old fart" with great pride. (It wasn't easy getting here)

[Cambion]

Nice poem! Reminds me of the feeling I get reading Fern Hill (which is my go-to poem for nostalgia of youth). Thanks for the read and always remember that you could be two decades older than you are - then you'd be truly old! There are still plenty of people alive today who might even call you sonny. Take care!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks. Yeah, I know there are many older than me.

[Gibbons]

A great short read. Dripping with affectionate sentiment...and green pear juice.

[Samuel Dickens]

Gibbons, please don't dis-pear. Thank you.

[roarke]

Can't ignore the synchronicity of green pears, can ya.

[An Ordinary Woman]

Yep. They called you out there for the sake of the memory. Absolutely. I think it's a great!
My old brain does similar stuff to me. Ah the joy!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I'm happy to know you enjoyed it.