#PoetryPals September Challenge

Autumn Delicacy

the day before fall arrived

my family drove to the apple orchard that showcased its bounty

despite the ominous darkening of clouds

nature hovered over the farm land and winced at the clouds

ripe and almost ripe apples announced their arrival

my family and I applauded nature and its bounty

as the sky darkened we found a part of the orchard that was bountiful

new apples with juicy sweetness hung below the clouds

my little grandgirls were mesmerized and will never forget arriving

especially since rain arrived with dark bountiful clouds 

draft ©CVarsalona, 2025, tritina

I thank the Poetry Sisters (Tanita Davis, Tricia Stohr Hunt, Mary Lee Hahn, Sara Lee Holmes, Laura Purdie Salas, Liz Garton Scanlon) for their enjoyable September Challenge. This was the first time I tried to write a tritina that was invented by poet Marie Ponsot. The tritina is not an easy poetic format for me but as one of the Poetry Sisters' #PoetryPals I enjoy engaging in their challenges.

Note: By the way, this was the first apple picking event that the sky opened up and provided a few drizzles in the orchard followed by a rainstorm during our outdoor lunch. Now, that is a memory we shall not forget.

It's Friday and time for the Poetry Friday Roundup with our host Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. She encourages us this week to try something new. Join me as I add my blog post to Amy's Roundup. Please read Amy's poem, You Choose You, that you will find here at The Poem Farm. Students will enjoy this poem. 

Pick a Peck of Apples

Picking apples at the Stribling Orchard in Northern Virginia is an Autumn tradition even when the sky is overcast and the rain drizzles down. As my son and I pulled up to the orchard's entrance, we saw my daughter, son-in-law, and three little grandgirls waiting patiently. 

Every one was eager to start apple picking. With map in hand, my daughter plotted a plan to visit various parts of the orchards. I paused to think of the history of this family-run orchard that began in 1819. For the first time I realized what a distinctive blend of history and fertile farm land had been cultivated to create an ideal apple orchard and grazing fields for raising cattle.

We began the apple picking event with the family. I watched Sierra and Aurora who are now tall enough to get a picking pole pulling down the best apples in each orchard. This year the different varieties of apples were beautiful in appearance. I was happy to join my grandgirls pick the fruit that will turn into apples pies and cookies. Perhaps, I might even have some little helpers bake with me.

I think the delight of the day was watching Little Lila enjoying running through the orchards with tiny apples in her hands. Toward the end of the adventure, we needed to taste some of our treasures and eat a delicious lunch despite the rain that started to dribble from the sky. When the rain started to fall harder, we left with bags of Kettle Corn and smiles. 

Our apple picking adventure brought back wonderful memories of past trips with Grandpa. 

we pick a peck of apples

in a picturesque part

of the Virginia countryside

picking sticks help the girls stretch

to pick the finest apples in the orchard

we cherish our pre-fall family time

©CVarsalona, 2025, cherita poem

This is my slice of life for this week's Two Writing Teachers.