blue apple tree

i have a blue apple tree.
my girls painted it
three autumns ago.
i have torn lino, torched carpet
broken things of beauty
scarred sentiments
a
bankrupt sleep account
bruised ego and
cigarette burns in my car.

i have a blue apple tree
but when it blossoms
i remember the way you opened up
shed your hard hell and
welcomed the kiss of heaven
and i embrace my tree
thanking it for bringing you to me
and for everything in between