A rapture of apricots
A rapture of apricots
the camera points up into the branches
to a riot of fruit and leaves
soft orange and green framed by blue
and I imagine climbing up and sitting
amongst gnarled branches eating
sun-warmed apricots and thinking
of other things that can be counted
in raptures like a butterfly’s wings
or a field of yellow sunflowers
red bean flowers racing skywards
the touch of your hand in mine
as we gaze at the midnight stars
Sue Johnson
Sue Johnson

About this poem
Every year, Poetry on Loan runs a poetry competition, free to enter for anyone living, working or studying in the West Midlands.
In 2021, the judging was very difficult, with stiff competition among the shortlisted entries. Many of the shortlisted poems are worthy of a place on the Poetry on Loan website, and A rapture of apricots, Sue Johnson's entry, is one of these.
About Sue: