‘Raspberry Bushes’ is my first official poem in the Summer Produce series that I’m collaborating on with
. I shared a produce-filled poem yesterday as part of the introduction to the series, and if you missed that post you can read it here. It explains the series in detail and outlines the different seasonal fruits and vegetables we’ll be writing poems on. We’d love for others to join, too!The prompt for this Friday was Blueberries/Raspberries. Both of these fruits (be it summer or not) are always well-stocked in our fridge—our toddler loves them! They also grow where we live, and it has become a (newer) summer tradition to go pick them at local farms.
Although all the memories surrounding these fruits are happy ones, this poem in particular has a serious tone to it. It is a reminder, an admonition if you will, to be gentle (with myself).
Keep scrolling to read the poem and feel free to write your own berry-themed piece!
Raspberry Bushes I skip aisle of bush after aisle of bush, eyes scanning, squinting waiting for perfectly ripe fruit. Unsatisfied I stroll, bring my eyes to a close, stretch out my impatient hands, until they touch not-yet-red raspberries. Despite their quandary with the sun, they scream at me that they’re not ready. Not ready for what? For driving home in my basket, to become muffins, scones, jam? What do they know? I ignore the signs and my fingers pull the thriving shrub apart. That is all they know to do: to pick and pick and pick at my fructiferous heart. All the while my ears silence the still voice— be gentle with this garden I keep trying to start. - r.e.g.
I always know it’s you as soon as I start reading! “What do they know?” Love that line!
I LOVE the personification of raspberries in this poem, and the whole framing of using this journey of selecting/picking them as a frame for your state of mind. LOVE it.
"Despite their quandary
with the sun, they scream at me
that they’re not ready."
so delighted to see your creativity coming out in this series!!