Poem: "Winter Apples"

[ysabetwordsmith]

This poem came out of the September 13, 2011 perk round.  It was inspired by prompts from janetmiles, jenny_evergreen, aldersprig, and laffingkat.  It was posted in part by minor_architect as the linkbacks poem for the November 1, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl.  Since there are verses left over, you can reveal a verse today by linking to a favorite poem from this fishbowl.  These people have boosted the signal: wyld_dandelyon, marina_bonomi, janetmiles

Comments

[minor_architect]

Cool! As people promote their favorite poems and reveal more verses, I'll reveal the same ones over on my journal. Then both posts will be in symmetry. :)

Okay...

[ysabetwordsmith]

That works for me. Thanks for volunteering for this.

The extra verse on mine is for marina_bonomi boosting "The Steamsmith."

[rhodielady_47]

You love old antique apples too?!!
I bought an Ashmead's Kernal tree last year--so far so good as long as the deer and rabbit repellant supply stays constant.
Thanks for the websites--I'll be checking them out sometime later this week--I'm a busy little beaver right now.
:D

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>You love old antique apples too?!!<<

Along with other heritage varieties of fruits and vegetables. Both the genetic engineer and the gardener in me agree that diversity is desirable.

Here at Fieldhaven we have assorted crabapples, a Criterion apple, and a birdgift tree that's actually two stuck together: a golden crabapple and a regular apple whose fruit is smallish and yellow and quite sweet. I'd rather like to get my hands on a nice russet, which tend to perform well without chemical pest control.

Sometimes I get access to heritage apples at local orchards, farmer's markets, our food co-op, etc.

Re: Yes...

[rhodielady_47]

My other apple trees are a no-name tree that came with the house, a Granny Smith and a York Imperial. I also have two pear trees that are multigrafted

Re: Yes...

[rhodielady_47]

My other apple trees are a no-name tree that came with the house, a Granny Smith and a York Imperial. I also have two pear trees that are multigrafted

[paka]

I really like the Fiorenza poems best out of all the ones you post; they're the most unique, genre wise, but their low key approach to magic reminds me a little of Earthsea.

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith]

It's helpful to know what people enjoy the most.

Yes, this series is primarily low magic, with occasional sparks of something stronger or more sophisticated. Much of the really powerful stuff is outside of direct human control -- for instance, the angels or the fata -- and the bits of that which do come into human hands tend to have mysterious roots, like the spellbook and locket from Bettina's mother. Fiorenza deals in practicalities, the slow gentle magics of the earth. Even when a problem is magical in nature, she doesn't always use a magical solution. She's one of those people with a knack for applying the least possible influence to achieve a desired result. *chuckle* Except of course when she gets fed up and whacks someone over the head with a clue-by-four

Re: Thank you!

[rhodielady_47]

"I think, in some stories, people get distracted by the gee-whiz magic and forget that how you use it is more important than what you have."

YES!!!
As a long-time reader of fantasy, one problem I've begun to really suffer from is that too many fantasy writers have completely missed the memo that real everyday life insists on going on nonstop in spite of extraordinary things also happening.
I've come across a smallish genre this year that is referred to as "magical realism" and surprisingly, I've come to like it quite well. (Books such as The Peach Keeper and The Sugar Queen are examples.) In these books, magic and supernatural stuff are touched upon but they are kept to minor roles in the stories. They make a nice change from the usual sort of urban fantasy being pushed these days.
:D

Re: Thank you!

[siege]

At last reluctantly Gandalf himself took a hand. Picking up a faggot he held it aloft for a moment, and then with a word of command, naur an edraith ammen! he thrust the end of his staff into the midst of it. At once a great sprout of green and blue flame sprang out, and the wood flared and spluttered.

'If there is any to see, then I at least am revealed to them,' he said. 'I have written Gandalf is here in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin.'

[catsittingstill]

I like the Fiorenza poems too.

[rix_scaedu]

I signal boosted again. http://rix-scaedu.livejournal.com/33125.html
I hope this counts! :)

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith]

It counts! Your new verse is up. Thank you for your support.