Poem 014: Neglect - Poetry & Literature - Library of Congress

R. T. Smith. R. T. Smith (1947- ) was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Georgia and North Carolina. Smith is the author of eight poetry collections, ... Topofpage LibraryofCongress Programs Poetry&Literature PoetLaureate PoetLaureateProjects Poetry180 ListofAll180Poems Share Program Poetry&Literature Menu AboutThisProgram PoetLaureate YouthAmbassador Prizes AudioRecordings FeaturedVideos Events «BacktoListofAll180Poemspage Poem014:Neglect Isthescentofappleboughssmoking inthewoodstovewhatIwillremember oftheRedDeliciousIbroughtdown,ashamed thatIcouldnotconvinceitslimbstorenderfruit? Toomuchneglectwilldothat,skewthesap's passage,blackenleaves,drythebarkandheart. Ishouldhaveloppedthedeadlimbsearly andwatchedeachbranchwithagoshawk'seye, patchingwithmedicinalpitch,offeringwater, compostandmulch,butIwastooenchanted bypearsaplings,flowersandthepasture, toocallowtobelievethatdeath'sinevitable foranylivingbeingunloved,untended. Whatremainsisthisarmloadofapplewood nowfeedingthestove'ssmolder.Splendor ripensafinaltimeinthefirebox,ascarlet harvestheaded,bydawn,toembers. Twodecadesofshadeandblossoms—tarts andcider,beesdazzledbythepollen, spareeleganceinice—butwhatgoesisgone. Smokeisall,throughthislessoninwinter regret,I'vebeengiventoremember. Smoke,andRedDeliciousapplesredder thanapassingcardinal'screstorcinders. —R.T.Smith Rights&Access FromPoetry,Oct-Nov,2002 Copyright2002byR.T.Smith. Allrightsreserved. ReprintedbypermissionsofR.T.Smith.Copyright 2002byR.T.Smith.Forfurtherpermissionsinformation, contactR.T.Smith,POBox195,Fairfield,VA24435. R.T.Smith R.T.Smith(1947-)wasborninWashington,D.C.,andgrewupinGeorgiaandNorthCarolina.Smithistheauthorofeightpoetrycollections,includingOutlawStyle:Poems(UniversityofArkansasPress,2007). PoetLaureate HistoryofthePosition ConsultantsandPoetsLaureate PoetLaureateProjects LivingNations,LivingWords AmericanConversations:CelebratingPoemsinRuralCommunities TheTechnicolorAdventuresofCatalinaNeon LaCasadeColores WherePoetryLives PoetryfortheMind'sJoy AmericanLifeinPoetry Poetry180 ListofAll180Poems MoreAboutPoetry180 HowToReadaPoemOutLoud TheFavoritePoemProject PoetryRoomGallery Blog FromtheCatbirdSeat:TheofficialPoetryandLiteratureblog Podcast FromtheCatbirdSeat:TheofficialPoetryandLiteraturepodcast Subscribe Receivenotificationsaboutevents,activities,andonlineresources RelatedResources AskaLibrarian PoetryResources NationalBookFestival