Blackberries

The Himalaya Blackberry is an invasive plant

Expansive, it creeps forward over everything

Dawn creeps too

Quickly fingers reach forward

Prize within reach

Soft dark fruit juices running down fingers into a stained palm

Everything summer contained in that tiny berry

Legs scratched bleeding but still reaching forward

The sweet flavor of summer irresistible

Deep memories, laughter, warm sun

Children, brothers, sisters, friends

Picking wild berries long ago

Reminding don't eat too many fill the bucket

Anticipation of tomorrow's berries and ice cream

Lost in the moment

We didn't hear the sounds of the absentee neighbor

Until he shushed us away from "his" berries

Then divine intervention as he drove away

Berries beckoning once again

These blackberries beckon still

As always the blackest ripest juiciest just out of reach

Stretching, arms raked by thorns

Searching for the branch that droops heavy

The sun rises and the bucket is filled

Pausing to look at the prize

The refrigerator door closes