Harvest time.
Not fruits of my bygone Camelot,
Lush wine grapes
Juicy oranges.
Instead, the modest kumquat
Is sought
From my hillside plot.
An acre, it’s not.
Kumquats grow with ease.
Without disease.
Need no expertise.
Teensy in size, the citrus mascot
Close to martini’s green olive,
Or Tater Tot.
Oblong shaped with smooth skin, taut
A pleasant orange, not Valencia or Navel
Softer, golden, more apricot.
Good nose for a wee snowman.
When it snows, not when it’s hot.
Or a hurricane blows.
What to do with the plentiful crop?
Pop off the tree,
Slingshot to your chops
Sugary-sweet skin
Paper-thin (like mine)
Mouth-puckeringly piquant,
Crunchy seeds—chew or spit out
Fraught with Vitamin C, the mini orange
Healthy, we’re taught
Yea big zest, vastly versatile
Tangy, sweet, sour, somewhat
An oddly zingy treat
Salads, streusels, morning smoothies
Cookies, cakes or marmalade
Yogurt parfait doozies.
Something juicy?
Add to liqueurs,
Cocktails or salads.
Salted,
Candied,
pickled?
Or just nibble.
Whatnot.
What’s not to love
This zippy turnout
On my urban plot
Not one,
but two trees
Abundant Kumquat.