They say the apple does not fall far
This fruit knows not from where it yield
Grew out of wood that since became unfamiliar
This fruit now ripening much further afield
Away from the surroundings it knew at the start
This fruit wonders why the tree did not shield
Against whatever force prised them apart
This fruit bears a bitter taste that’s barely healed

They say you reap what you sow
The tree spawned life which it scarcely saw
Oblivious to how those lives would eventually grow
The old tree split from its seedlings when still so raw
Had the apples not fallen far from its toes
The lone old tree would be surrounded by more
Although the sun shines and breeze blows
The dying lone old tree haunted by fruits it once bore

K.G. says…

What I (strangely) like most about this poem is that not everyone seems to grasp the metaphors. Some people probably think it’s about agricultural malpractice [LOL]. As a result, it doesn’t tend to feature among most of my readers’ favourites when they give feedback. On the flip-side, I do love it every time someone understands the true meaning. *high-fives to y’all*

Either verse is a different viewpoint stemming from the same type of situation. I won’t completely ruin the “thrill” of interpretation with a full explanation so all I’ll say is… this fruit and the tree are all “relative“.