RED FRUIT
The first fruits from my first harvest
from the house on the hill
are red and sweet.
Placed precariously in this clay rich soil,
it falls upon me to dethistle,
distribute compost and drench with water.
We tent-net the row of first fruits
to the chagrin of black beaked birds,
giving sun-ripening a chance.
You came briefly to be with me,
helped transform the shape of the land
sharing the ripe succulent gifts.
The sweet red fruits satisify.
Kaaren Whitney
Lammas 2003
