Proud
Plum
In orchard of
Peach and cherry
Apple, pear and plum
Children ran and
Played so merry
Picking fruit from some
Apple, peach
Cherry, pear
Bade the children come
But one tree
Kept limbs up high
She was the purpled plum
Between her branches
Green with leaves
She was morose and glum
From childrens’ hands
She higher heaves
Her boughs and she stays mum
For she has smooth-skinned
Juicy fruit
Royal purpled that was from
The way she rooted
In her dirt
Proud plum in orchard slum
Then end of autumn
Peach and cherry
Apple, pears they hum
Their burdened branches
Light and airy
For sacrificed their sum
But oh the royal
Purpled plum
She croons sad runes and tunes
Her held-high limbs
Baked in the sun
Dried rot with shriveled prunes.
Hilary McRee Flanery
