Blackberry

It’s a quasi-religious ritual, 

a September ceremonial if you will,

at first touch we are baptised

with nature’s ink.

Unheralded we come to wrestle 

the barbed resolute defenders 

of these cephalic black fae orbs.

This stolid sweet Lammas fruit

eaten more in sorrow, 

than remorse, we smear thick

juice on maidens’ bellies 

and give praise for those who follow

*

© Graham R Sherwood 09/22