Hedgeapple.com - Poems

Horse Apples

By Nancy Fitz-Gerald Viens

Tail end of a ragtag summer, Horse apple time in Texas When heat lifts its heavy hand Briefly from my shoulder, and The sun sinks like a golden balloon Behind Longhorn Meadow. Green globes of luminescent Day-Glo Big as Texas grapefruit Lie in the Bermuda grass, Hefty enough for small boys To chunk at tree trunks or a passing car With a satisfying "thunk."

Lumpy, ludicrous fruit You broadcast the possibility Of autumn once again, The possibility of cool nights Under a down comforter, The possibility of a giant twist In the atmosphere, a hurricane To stir up dregs of my lethargic soul Worn down by one hundred degree heat-- The great, gigantic, final possibility Of rain.

Recent Guestbook Entries

Squashing Hedge Apples with my car is my favorite activity in the fall. I can not explain to you the satisfaction I get when I flatten one (and there are many) on my way to work. I also like the green mosaic pattern left behind by someone who beat me to the punch. I want to grow 2 in my yard for the sole purpose of lining them up and squashing a bunch of them in a row.

- Steph

I live on the north shore of Lake Erie up in Canada and we have these trees growing too! I had no idea until today what they were. Great site. Thanks for info.

- Patricia

Recent Survey Entries

Name: Jackie
State: MN
Years used: 5
How many used: 1-3
Obtained: Grocery Store
Places where used: In the old house, I placed them in the basement stairwell. Now in a new home with no basement, I place them at the front and back doors and under the kitchen sink
Pest After: spiders
Reduction Percentage:
Spiders: 75% Reduction
Cockroaches: Not Sure
Ants: Not Sure
Slugs: Not Sure
Crickets: Not Sure
Fleas: Not Sure
Date Obtained: September
Any initial activity? Yes
Started Working?: One Day
Duration of Effect: Three Months
How widespread: Widespread, throughout the house
Place them on a container? Always
General Comments: .
Did They Work: Yes

Name: Lynda
State: MI
Years used: one
How many used: 4
Obtained: Other
Places where used: Garage, basement
Pest After: spiders
Reduction Percentage:
Spiders: 100% Reduction
Cockroaches: Not Sure
Ants: Not Sure
Slugs: Not Sure
Crickets: Not Sure
Fleas: Not Sure
Date Obtained: July
Any initial activity? No
Started Working?: One Day
Duration of Effect: One Year
How widespread: Widespread, throughout the house
Place them on a container? Never
General Comments: Got them for a coworker who got them from a friend..
Did They Work: Yes