apple core

settled on rough ground
pads sleeping bag and stars
a consequence of hasty decisions — 
starting too late for a long drive
too tired to begin with

somewhere out there not far 
off the southern Arizona back road
the old man listened
to a herd of javelina
shuffling and jostling one another
grunting to be the first to indulge
in the prickly pear fruit
on the lowest pads

now sleepless he marveled
at the darkness and spread of stars
missed since childhood — 
in the remaining firelight 
he examined his dried cuticles
then gave his fingers a little flick — 
the outline of a great horned owl 
flew over with barely a ripple

he ate an apple bought in Sierra Vista
made a production of crunching and chewing
mumbled ‘baltimore’
then tossed the apple core 
for the javelina

after sputtering up its last sparks 
the camp fire settled into an easy glow
the old man gazed at the stars 
satisfied for the night