The speaker of the poem works manually to shovel manure and build a community orchard. He possesses a deep connection to the natural world and maintains an active practice of finding joy despite everyday trauma. Throughout his internal monologue, he frequently converses with his audience directly, offering them a space to rest along with fresh fruit from his garden.

The romantic partner of the speaker. She enters the beehive and reaches out to comfort the speaker rather than pulling away from his sudden grief. Her emotional presence brings him joy and reminds him of love's fleeting nature.

The direct audience addressed throughout the poem. The speaker treats this abstract figure as a tangible guest, inviting them to sit on a corduroy couch with a light blanket. They receive gifts of sweetened tea and hand-picked blackberries as a reward for their attention.

A bird that visits the speaker in a resting vision. It looks the speaker directly in the eye and coochie-coos his chin to get his attention. The bird acts as a catalyst, urging the speaker to awake and bellow forth his thankfulness to the world.

A deceased companion whose memory frequently returns to the speaker. When remembered, he takes the shape of a boy or the scent of incense. In dream sequences, his ghost provides comfort for those who are scared, placing a reassuring hand on their shoulders.

The deceased father of the speaker who appears posthumously in a dream. He physically interacts with the speaker by plucking the cables beneath his chin. This motion actively prompts the speaker to wake up singing and smiling.

A prophetic dream figure who confronts the speaker with the reality of doom. The child points at the roiling sea and sky to warn that the end of the world is much worse and approaching sooner than expected.

An older man who successfully defeats younger opponents in a local pickup game. Following his victory on the court, he rips off his shirt to display a surgical scar on his chest. He celebrates his athletic triumph and his survival from near-death.

Past generations who respected the land and worked to ensure the survival of future populations. They smuggled seeds in their hair and planted walnut trees for others to enjoy. They refused to bulldoze natural groves, acting as role models for current horticultural efforts.