"At the top of the house the apples are laid in rows,
And the skylight lets the moonlight in, and those
Apples are deep-sea apples of green. There goes
A cloud on the moon in the autumn night.
A mouse in the wainscot scratches, and scratches, and then
There is no sound at the top of the house of men
Or mice; and the cloud is blown, and the moon again
Dapples the apples with deep-sea light.
They are lying in rows there, under the gloomy beams;
On the sagging floor; they gather the silver streams
Out of the moon, those moonlit apples of dreams,
And quiet is the steep stair under.
In the corridors under there is nothing but sleep.
And stiller than ever on orchard boughs they keep
Tryst with the moon, and deep is the silence, deep
On moon-washed apples of wonder."
The illustration is 'Apple Harvest' by Carl Larsson, 1853 - 1919.
What a beautiful illustration. I'm hoping to be tasting the first apples from my little tree soon, I've been waiting patiently and they're a gorgeous ruby red, they look so appetising.
ReplyDeleteOh I hope those ruby red apples reward all your tender loving care Jo by tasting every bit as good as they look.
DeleteA lovely poem, and the illustration is beautiful. Unfortunately, there won't be too many moon-washed apples in my garden this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment Rose - sorry that it's not a good year for you apple wise Rose.
DeleteLovely poem. I think I've read it before, but many "moons" ago!
ReplyDeleteOh your comment has made me chuckle - thanks Cathy :)
DeleteAnna what a wonderful poem and I love the illustration...it brings back so many memories of picking apples.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have stirred good memories Donna.
Delete'deep sea apples of green'.... 'apples the apples with deep-sea light'.... 'moon-washed apples of wonder'.... great words, Anna, and thanks for introducing another lovely poem (and illustration too)
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome Cathy :)
Deleteyour illustration reminds of when I first saw that artist, on notelets at IKEA. One day, I'm going to find the gallery, where I can see the original paintings, that Northern light.
ReplyDeleteOh wouldn't that be a fantastic experience Diana. Count me in too :)
Deletei always have loved the idea of a moon garden... lovely reminder of how our surroundings expand on full moons - a great time to go out and explore!
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right Kif - the garden is a completely different environment in moonlight. I know that I do not venture into it as much as I should do.
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