Fat Red Juicy Ones
See the fat red juicy ones
hanging around at the front
of the green leaf-lined stage
Look at me look at me pick me first
But when I look again and closer
there are shy ones hiding
behind leaves and stems
and they blush nearly-red
Some are not ripe yet and I sigh
Perhaps in a few days they will be red and fat and waving
Pick me pick me
I am ready now
These fat raspberries hold memories
Nana’s garden Aunt Betty’s pride and joy
In June the raspberries hang heavy
ready for picking
and the house smells warm
sticky fruit-scented kitchen hot jars waiting
waxed discs and cellophane circles
held in place by rubber bands – my earnest task
Bowls of raspberries for Louise and me – with sugar
and evaporated milk
But the raspberries here now are my raspberries
to make jam with in my sticky fruit-scented kitchen
I close my eyes and breathe
and I am young when I smell and taste these precious
red memory-laden fruits of my childhood
Barbara 2013