Rhapsody In Red

When morning breaks in shades of wine...
  with claret skies to blush the dawn...
     I will stretch and yawn, and thank the night
           for this polished, dappled day
 
I will wait until the sun is high, and dew upon the rose is dry
I'll have my cup, .. with toast and jam...
then, make escape, ..........for the quest begins,
                                                              to seek my small reward

It happens slowly...
          gathering reason from an untamed mind
            up into the meadow where the brambles climb
              twisted and tangled, through the burgundy vines
               deftly my fingers, while probing the maze
                will reach for wild berries.....warm from the day
thumping their goodness, one after one
into the bucket, dented and worn
A search through thorns, a prick on my thumb
      till my back is ripe, and wet in the sun
           
Finger painting my faded old jeans
  Knowing my cheeks are flushing in pink
    Sucking sweet juice from two crimson thumbs
         Who cares a lick, of the thorns or a bee?

I am a bee, buzzing serenity...
     plucking small bits of reason and sanity
           taking home goodness in a battered tin pail
              feeling alive, on this wild-flowered hill
             

Tonight's sweet delight, is warm berry cobbler, 
  oozing with goodness of juicy red gems
    staining my tongue, and turning lips scarlet
      dripping like blood drops onto my chin
          
Yet never as splendid, or tasting as fine, 
    as warmed by my smile, straight from the vine

       Picking red berries, and freeing my mind
                                      *   *
                                            * *
                                       *      *
                                                  *
                                             *   
           under clouds tinged vermilion
               from a gold-rimmed crimson sun
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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12
Johnson Avatar
October 20, 2013 at 7:05 PM
This is beautiful and has a quality I seldom find in free verse. Flows and yes has a rhyme. Congratulations. Love, Joyce.
Deschler Avatar
October 17, 2013 at 4:07 PM
I loved all of the descriptions and objects related to the color red. A very vivid poem, that took me back to warm summertime! Really great work, Carrie! Congratulations on your win!...Thank you for the great comments. They are very much appreciated!
Puddifoot Avatar
October 17, 2013 at 6:13 AM
this is another excellent free verse poem from you, carrie, very deserving of its win, many different facets of red in this...I honestly don't know why you don't put a poetry collection together and submit it to publishers; your work is certainly good enough - better than many published poets writing today! :)
A   Avatar
October 16, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Carrie, this is one of my faves.... xox~ Linda
Johnson Avatar
October 16, 2013 at 6:58 PM
Oh what a wonderful picture you painted. Berry picking in the warm sun. I hope you got enough berries to last all winter. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Jones Avatar
October 16, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Right there with you Carrie.....and could taste that warm cobbler....congratulations....
A  Avatar
October 15, 2013 at 10:05 PM
Carrie, you are amazing.. :) Congratulations! --LOVE-- ~SKAT~
Williams Avatar
June 29, 2012 at 1:13 PM
carrie, congrats on another great win...David
K. Avatar
June 28, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Wow, Carrie! I am certainly humbled to be sharing places with you-- this one is just a superb poem! I love how you took on red in a different level here! i just can't help but smile as I read through your lines! You certainly made me feel that rhapsody and hehe that part about "fingerpainting" your jeans-- loved that! I'd do that too :) Very rich red write! Super congrats hugs on your win :D!! Thanks so much for passing by my poem and blog :D I will catch up you soon :D
Brown Avatar
June 27, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Congratulations on your placement in the Summer contest Carrie. Love, Carol
Onclaud Avatar
June 27, 2012 at 10:29 AM
raging in beautiful, red abandon, carrie... my super congrats and hugggs! :)
O'Leary Avatar
June 27, 2012 at 8:13 AM
Very nice... Congratulations on your win... Terry
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 27, 2012 at 1:36 AM
A superb write and a win to match! Congratulations to you Carrie. Just beautiful!
Dietrich Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 6:38 PM
AWESOME, Carrie. I just love this and I love berries too. Big congrats on this well deserved win.
A   Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 5:49 PM
Carrie,, congratulations on a job well done... DG. has some of the toughest contest.. I am so happy to see you on her wonderful list.. Always~PD
Guzzi Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 4:17 PM
I fondly remember my berry summers 8 was blackberries, my son's second was strawberries, and the first season of my own raspberries when I was happily wed. THANK YOU! Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Guzzi Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 4:17 PM
PS You were our shobert after Charlottes hellish heat!
Puddifoot Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 3:25 PM
congrats on your winning poem, just exquisite writing carrie, really paints a vivid picture in the mind :-)
Johnson Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 2:31 PM
A beautiful write and a worthy win. I am glad to se you get your due. congratulations. Love, Joyce
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Congrats on your amazing win, Carrie! You have reminded me of berry picking with my grandmother in Jersey many years ago. Love and Blessings, Rhonda
Dailey Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Great win with this poem. I loved the picture it painted. Mike
Grisetti Avatar
June 26, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Congratulations on your winning poem.
Dietrich Avatar
May 7, 2010 at 10:32 PM
finally got to see the winner of food contest. a beauty! congratulations. Luv, andrea
Sweetheart Avatar
May 6, 2010 at 8:05 AM
Congrats Carrie on your 1st place win in Sami's contest... great design to your poem and even greater words ... enjoy your well deserved win at the top... luv.. Linda-Marie
Anderson Avatar
May 5, 2010 at 11:30 PM
Congrats on your Ist Place win, Carrie...Very nice! ....Jimmy
Mehta Avatar
May 5, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Congrats on the win
12
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