Shannon drops off 30lbsof McIntosh apples

in a clear plastic drawstring bagthey sit on the counter for a week

some bruisedoozing sweet liquid thicker than water

not quite syrupone evening Sarah cores

& chops themstarts the crock pot for apple butter

uses scraps for cidereverything simmers together

a little brown sugarthe whole house

smells like autumncrisp leaves at each doorway the cats

snipe like summer skinkswe're cold

need socks for the hardwoodmaybe some honey

to serveeveryone outside is a risk these days

even the people we lovebut we leave

the doors & windows opento invite in

some of the world