My mother was a farm wife and a prodigious canner. She canned fruit and vegetables from the garden, even occasionally meat. But the best thing that she canned, in my opinion, was blackberry jam. Even as I type those words my mouth waters! Of course, before she could make that jam, somebody had to pick the blackberries. And that somebody was quite often named Dorothy. I think Seamus Heaney might have spent some time among the briars plucking those delicious black fruits as well, so he would have known that "Once off the bush the fruit fermented, the sweet flesh would turn sour." They don't keep; you have to get that jam made in a hurry! Blackberry-Picking by Seamus Heaney Late August, given heavy rain and sun For a full week, the blackberries would ripen. At first, just one, a glossy purple clot Among others, red, green, hard as a knot. You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet Like thickened wine: summer's blood was in it Leaving stains upon the tongue and lust ...
I like it. Sweet poem for a sweet bird.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly knew something about robins.
DeleteThank you for this treat
ReplyDeleteThe robins showed up in the last week, Dorothy, so you could say they are a harbinger of spring here. I always enjoy their little runs on tippy-toe. I hadn't thought of them being quiet on the nest, that would make sense. Not that I ever see that.
ReplyDeleteYes, most birds, including the robin, are "speechless" on the nest. To speak would only draw the attention of predators.
DeleteEmily Dickinson is a poet I love to read. I read a wonderful novel based on her and wrote a professional review of it here: http://threeguysonebook.com/miss-emily-by-nuala-oconnor/
ReplyDeleteDickinson was unique and a true American treasure. Thanks for the link. I'll be sure to check it out.
DeleteGreat poem choice! Love Emily's Dickinson's work, and this is perfect Sunday reading!
ReplyDeleteHer poems always cut straight to the heart of the matter, don't they?
DeleteBeautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat poem! Wonderful poet!
You should like this post to Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday meme. Here's the link
http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/
Have a great day!
Lea
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out. And thanks for stopping by.
DeleteOur robins have arrived in upstate New York, along with snowdrops and crocus. I see some "wild" trees are starting to bloom. This is the strangest winter ever for us in the Binghamton area. Once again, I thank the South for caring for our robins during the winter.
ReplyDeleteHappy to do it!
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