I walked along my daily route

But there are new streets to see

My bare feet grazing concrete path

I come upon a tree

Bountiful and fruitful the branches all reach out 

I scale its height

Nectarines glistening leaves shaded

The tree urges to take a bite

Fruit trees laced my route before 

The gilded branches scratched my chest

I tried to climb but their bark bruised me

So I paused and took long rest

I hesitated to grasp the fruit

I expected the branches to sting

Honey-sweet juices swam down my chin

My heart began to ring?

No bitterness 

No poison

No toxic in between

To my surprise, i felt my mouth grow to a giant grin

Cherries, plums, and pears

Left an after taste so vile

Yet this luscious tree provided warmth

Each candied bite brought smiles

Nectarines are never bitter

Their branches never hit

Instead, the leaves blanketed my healing skin

Handing me a sweet flesh-covered pit

Day and night and morning

I climbed and felt my best

Secure and safe the branches held me

Safe in my new nest

I run along new daily route

The street I always see

My bare feet tickled by the bark

A girl and her nectarine tree