Ripe berries
dark purple and red
in sunlight:
the ripe ones
always at the farthest
tips of the branches
getting the first sunto ripen early
— each body
a tight cluster
of berry fat
softening easily
in your mouth
You have to
concentrate
with your eyes closed
to understand
this quiet flavor;
each berry chewed
slowly, thoughtfully
to let the slight
shades of sweetness
reach your heart;
like a memory
only your tongue can remember
a distant taste
called “wilderness.”
