picking figs in autumn

picking figs in autumn

if william carlos williams can write about plums in
the icebox, then i have found my tree of life
a treasure-trove and every bite sunshine

and just in time for they will soon
be rain-ruined or scavenged by
starlings who come to steal entire vineyards

the fig tree, like all of us, containing
every age we've ever been, some green
others overripe, and me just in between

veraison and restless for sweetness
just out of reach on tiptoe, for
everyone should know such love at least

once