Actually, when I was
born, my parents lived in a small house:
cheap enough for the size and the way the cars
drove by like stormchasers, but
even that didn't matter. The yard out back had
fruit trees. Not many. At least one apple. This
glittering fact lives in my memory like a
half-raveled string
in my pocket: unobtrusive, forgotten,
just sitting quietly tangled until my mother
kicks it up. We are in her room,
losing time to shadows and disease,
my attempts to hold her here boiled down to
nothing more than a spoon and a jar
of my own applesauce. I have no fruit trees. My sauce is only
passable only when cooked down to a
quart of toothless mush, the store's dregs, the mealy
runts of autumn.
Still, she eats it, rattles the spoon past her
teeth, and the string in my pocket
unravels, reveals itself a golden thread, a
velvet, honeyed link from her
wet tongue turned
xeric - she did this once, for me. Made sauce from that
yard's tree. My first food. Her last: apples, honey, orange
zest and time.
About the Creator
Dane BH
By day, I'm a cog in the nonprofit machine, and poet. By night, I'm a creature of the internet. My soul is a grumpy cat who'd rather be sleeping.
Top Story count: 17
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Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Comments (6)
Love it!😍
Lovely imagery. I love this bit, Still, she eats it, rattles the spoon past her /teeth, and the string in my pocket/unravels, reveals itself a golden thread, a/velvet, honeyed link Brought back vivid memories for me!
This is so layered and beautifully written. I loved the line, "the mealy runts of autumn." Gorgeous work. 💗
So much talent 👏. This is such a beautifully crafted story - felt every word
I love how you tethered that string, beautiful.
Perfect! 🔤