They still produce fruit

Even in old age they still produce fruit
these holy souls reaching beyond
the lapses and losses of the body.

In the bountiful boughs and leaves
of threefold-rooted olive trees,
palms and cedars, they find

the legacy from the creator
to his creation, freedom
from the bondage of desiccated time.

An old woman wrinkled with years
has eyes as lustrous as Aegean coral
holding the hope of rapture.

The minister’s collar outgrows his voice
yet he still harvests fulsome sounds
playing the pipe organ proclaiming Christ.

These souls flourish in this world
until they are crowned and leave
in a rush of green one night.