Blackberry Memoir

Blackberry Memoir 

Blackberries, round and glossy,
Always invite me to return
To dusty country summer afternoons
When languid waves of mirages
Puddle into shimmering hiatus.

From the gently swaying hammock
I hear the rattle of berry pails
To see my grandmother, in her straw hat,
Smile an invitation - come with her
Into the wild blackberry patch.

Like garter snakes that hide in the thorny brambles
Tangled canes slither across the sandy path
No perfect rows only prickly trailing briars
That soar from the heart of the thicket
In arching limbs to touch on summer skies.

Like raven tresses the blackberry fruit glistens -
Capturing sweetness from the glowing sun -
Purple stained fingers release the ripeness
Then hear it plunk in the berry bucket -
Delicious as raindrops in a summer storm.

Warm evening settles in contented sighs
Watching moonlight creep through tangled vines
When juicy blackberry pie warm from the oven
Arrives on clear plates with salivating praise
Topped with ice cream dripping down the sides.

When autumn strips the jumbled canes
To lie barren beneath the winter sun
My grandmother’s blackberry jam journeys 
In reveries of summer days to come
When simple berry picking untangles life.

8-2-22
Contest: Your Thoughts on Blackberries
Sponsor: Matt Caliri
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Dutta Avatar
August 8, 2022 at 11:03 AM
So long poem on BLACKBERRIES I admire. All the best for contest
Kauffman Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 1:51 PM
Anisha, many thanks. This one is close to my heart. Blessings!
Horsman Avatar
August 7, 2022 at 9:52 PM
Oh yes this is so good, The fruit is so special to me, in it takes me back to my youth, as does this wonderous gem...Thanks Sam.
Kauffman Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 1:50 PM
Harry, thank you! Isn't it amazing how these brambles can produce such amazing berries then produce wonderful memories in us. I am so happy that this poem brought you back to special moments in your childhood. An honor indeed! It is a joy to be part of reawakening those memories and creating new one. For years we tried to get rid of some persistent berry canes in our backyard only to discover they are loganberries - my favorite along with blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries! Berry blessings to you!
Dietrich Avatar
August 5, 2022 at 4:39 PM
oh my goodness, you made them sound divine, Sam. One of YOUR best poems ever. FAVE
Kauffman Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 1:43 PM
Oh Andrea, THANK YOU! I am deeply honored by your beautiful message and your FAVE!!! Those lazy summer afternoons with my grandmother are deeply engrained moments of pure joy. It is my joy to welcome everyone into the blackberry patch and back to the house for pie. This poem reminds me of your delightful summer childhood memories with your grandparents on their farm. We are so blessed to have experienced such wonderful childhood moments! I guess this poem came from the depths of those special afternoons! Blessings. Here's to the joys of childhood August afternoons!
Rodrigues Avatar
August 5, 2022 at 7:55 AM
You have me at blackberry pie and ice cream!
Kauffman Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 1:36 PM
A pretty irresistible combination! So glad you enjoyed my summer sojourn in the blackberry patch! August blessings!
Pandit Avatar
August 5, 2022 at 5:32 AM
Wonderfully descriptive images, Sam. reminiscing in sweet memories.
Kauffman Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 1:14 PM
Thank you so much Vijay! Your message means so much to especially from one of the masters of imagery. On warm August afternoons I think of those times picking blackberries with my grandmother and smile. Blessings to you!
Gasun Avatar
August 5, 2022 at 1:30 AM
A fascinating imagery of your blackberry memoir was wonderfully portrayed in this excellent poem of yours my dear friend Sam. I love your poem a lot. A winner for me. Thanks a lot for sharing. All the best in the contest my dear friend. God bless you. Hugs
Kauffman Avatar
August 10, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Many, many thanks dear friend. Picking blackberries with my grandmother will always remain a treasured memory and I was so happy to be able to share this memory with all of you! Knowing that you love it makes it extra special. Sending you bunches of blessings from the blackberry patch!
Radice Avatar
August 3, 2022 at 12:49 PM
I can feel the warmth of the sun and the warmth of your words Sam. You describe some other world and yet I feel I'm there. Great imagery and beautifully written. Good luck in the Blackberry contest. Cheers - Gary
Kauffman Avatar
August 7, 2022 at 12:55 PM
Thank you so much Gary! I was truly blessed to have my grandmother as an integral part of my life. The world of blackberry picking and her pie is indeed another world. So glad to have you join me in the berry patch - it's no fun picking berries by myself! So grateful for your delightful feedback! Here's to grandmothers, summers and pie! Cheers!
George Avatar
August 2, 2022 at 10:07 PM
Beautiful Sam ! Love your descriptions and your escapade along with your granny to collect blackberries in the jungly blackberry patch and by evening eating her blackberry pie topped with ice cream ! What sensory delight !
Kauffman Avatar
August 7, 2022 at 9:21 AM
Thank you so much my friend! In the northwest blackberries grow everywhere! It is part of summer's ritual to go berry picking for pies and jam! Doing that with my grandmother made it even more special for me! Thank you so much for your beautiful message. It was such an amazing treat to go back to those days through this contest theme. All the best! Sending you many blessing.
Delaney Avatar
August 2, 2022 at 5:09 PM
Wonderful writing Sam: A sure winner for this contest. Loved all the images you painted with words. SuZ
Kauffman Avatar
August 7, 2022 at 9:15 AM
Hi SuZ! I am so grateful for your lovely feedback. Thank you! My grandparents had a summer house. We would spend most of the summer there. Picking blackberries with my grandmother was a treasured ritual for me even as a child. It goes without saying the pie was a great reward but being with her was the best! So glad you enjoyed this little snippet of a summer day! All the best. Blessings!
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