Ceres

Dark furrows against blue, rows of almond trees, white below, stretching back to a gray horizon. Winter fields. Empty rodeo corral with earth embankment, a summer sign or two, fruit stands closed for the holidays--apples, walnuts, peaches, pears--weathered boards pulled over empty shelves. Barn with steep roof, set square amisdt a line of poplars--their narrow dark forms reaching for the sky.