Orange Grove Poem by Bill Upton

The first breath of Florida came during spring break, '74.
Four young college lads left western Pennsylvania
For the 24 hour drive to freedom,
To the warmth of the sun,
To the promise of summer regained,
To abandon small town academia
And the myopic vision that this was all there was.
Leaving ten degree temperatures and collegiate boredom
For the fantasy world of Ft. Lauderdale surf and sand,
They buckled up their heartbeats.
Reality and dreams were about to be introduced.

Crossing the Florida state line,
We were struck with the boyhood fantasy-
Palm trees,80 degree sunshine heat, oranges falling
Right from the trees in front of us-
EVERYTHING we had only read about in books, seen in movies,
Now touchable, reachable, insanely delicious.
It was the promise realized, the mission accomplished,
The goods delivered.
The best of the best,
Jump-for- joy unbridled youthful optimism.

Five days later
The energy, the passion, the 'eyes wide open' reality
Of having climbed the mountain and looked over the edge,
Of having finally hoisted the victor's cup,
Crumbled into the north and snow bound trip back home.

Attitudes were changed forever that week, however,
Beyond any expectations or dreams.
We saw the world-maybe for the first time-with clear vision-
A vision filled with bigger ideas, bigger potential.
Our hearts came home with freshness of purpose.
What we had just witnessed was not Florida.
What we had experienced
Was life.