Blackberry Gathering

Elizabeth Adela Forbes, Walker Art Gallery Liverpool

Dressed in pinafore dresses, crisp cotton sun bonnets

Two young girls are busy picking blackberries

A woman with fair hair, loosely fixed in a bun assists

She shows no concern that her skin is exposed to sun

Rays beat through a dominant blue sky, interspersed with cloud

Shadows dance on her skirt, a pail hangs heavy over one arm

Into the distance a patchwork expanse of Cornish fields

A hamlet of cosy homes nestles in their midst

The artist concentrates on activity of movement

Her brush delicate on facial features and small hands

A blue enamel bowl is held by one young gatherer

Almost filled to the brim, ripe fruit oozing purple-red stain

The second girl's fingers, fumble in the brambles

More berries feed into a straw basket with two handles

Soon their kitchen will become as active as a hive,

Their harvest prepared, and preserved for leaner days

When ground is barren, hardened by winter frost

And logs burn brightly warming the sharp icy air

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

What fond memories this stirs of summer berry picking adventures. We used to cut the tops off milk jugs and run a wide belt through the handles and around our waist to leave both hands free for picking. My brother and I picked fifty gallons in a morning and an afternoon one year. I enjoyed the read.

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased this poem brought some happy memories back Fabian. Your response appreciated.

read moreSo pleased this poem brought some happy memories back Fabian. Your response appreciated.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

You have written a beautifully observed portrait of a summer's day picking berries. I was a little intrigued by your mention of the artist until I noticed your note. Your description is so concise that we don't really need the painting. I can just feel the juice dripping from the berries as ripe as your words.
Regards.
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan for your very generous review. All good with you I hope?

Chris

[alanwgraham]

Very well thanks. We are heading to France for a week on thursday.
I can see your writing is going well and hope all else is good.
Regards, alan

[Chris Shaw]

All is good Alan. Enjoy that holiday in France.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

A quality word-painting of a quality painting.
Beautifully portrayed, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy for your high praise. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Jon Roggie]

I like how you mix in artists. You bring in images, and I feel an understanding. Maybe not the intent, but it still makes for a fun ride.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jon for reading and leaving a response. very much appreciated.

Chris

[emmajoy]

'The second girl's fingers, fumble in the brambles ~ More berries feed into a straw basket with two handles ~ soon their kitchen will become as active as a hive.. '

You've painted an idyllic scene with the most beautiful words, invoking scenes that remind me of what was and should be an art form:. living without pretension, being with loved ones, using the senses, making much out of little and being part of something real. I thought of Margaret (?) Allingham as i read a second time.

[Chris Shaw]

Something wonderful about doing these type of activities as a family. We all used to go blackberrying when I was with my parents and siblings. I think it was for that reason I was drawn so much to this painting. Thank you Em, have a good week

Chris

[emmajoy]

We used to too.! Come time of year and weather, would note the blackerries on the hedgerows... then, somewhere in the boot, litle mum would put a carrier bag with 4/5 old Tuppe4rware in it, all ready for THE DAY! Apple and blackberry pies are still my favourite, the smell of their cooking is better than... whatever! Your poem is beautifully nostalgic, plus finely written, Chris.. than you for presenting it so 'charmingly' ! x

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em for your very gracious review. x

[emmajoy]

It's easy to be generous when someone writes such a super.sweet poem, Chris, honestly. Might I take a copy of it to email to my sister, presently stayiing in Italy.. please? If you say no, will comply - promise. .

[Chris Shaw]

Of course, will be delighted if it brings back some lovely family memories for you at a time when you are all hoping and praying for your brother.

[emmajoy]

Oh .. you realised. Yes, YES, please Who knows Amy may read it to Josh. He used to be in charge.. scolding younger brother for eating the succulent (mouth watering here) full bodied berries. And, if Jack ignored him, would say, 'Look out, there s amini spider on that one! Hey, you had a bit of worm in that one!!!' Chris.. am. am smiling now. (You).

[Davidgeo]

You really gotta start including pictures of the paintings with these poems. I think it would make the words even more impactful.

A long time ago when I lived in San Francisco there was this group of writers who would get high and use the SF Museum of Modern Art as a one giant prompt. It seemed to me a fantastic way to stimulate creativity and bring disparate styles and personalites together.

[Chris Shaw]

Got real problems with my pc at the moment. Can't save or upload, but hopefully when the problem is fixed. Art, in particular paintings for me, has always been a source of inspiration when it comes to poetry. Buried in my archives I have a few more. Thanks for your review.

[Davidgeo]

It's probably all those weird porn site's you visit giving your computer viral problems.

[Chris Shaw]

:))) ................

[lightsong]

perfectly You've painted the painting into words, and then adding Your own personal touch setting the imagination free to go beyond the painting, to feel softly warm and cozy, withing a family warmth, again You let me feel like I'm in a middle of a novel, and I love it so my friend, I tried to post the painting within my review, I hope it will work, let me see now...

[lightsong]

it didn't work, but here is the code for it, maybe You can try to post it above Your lovely poem, read moreit didn't work, but here is the code for it, maybe You can try to post it above Your lovely poem,

[lightsong]

the code didn't appear here, I will try and message it to You.

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you enjoyed the poem. I have problems with my computer at the moment. Can't upload anything, or save anything, as the storage capacity has been reached. Thank you anyway.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Amazing word snapshots portraying amazingly this wonderful painting. Attention Attention detail is superb. Comes alive .

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and back in my Vermont days...one of our favorite things to do...pick Blackberries in the pasture behind the Gutterson's farmhouse where we stayed. Great memories your poem brought to me.

j.

[Chris Shaw]

Delighted that one of my poems has brought back such great memories Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really like what you have done with your latest pieces...you paint the pictures in words and as we read we put the frame around them.
the best poetry is poetry that is palpable.
Yours is.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. Both of the pieces you have enjoyed were written sometime ago. I did a couple of online poetry courses and assignments were to choose paintings from the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. My tutor, a well known poet in Liverpool, Jim Bennett. He has published numerous books and has connections world wide.

[Stella Armour]

A beautiful painting made so real and fresh by the way the light has been added; the woman and bot girls have that lovely colouring to their faces that comes with living in the country, and gentle cottages at the bottom of the hill they have climbed is portrayed quietly so as not to take the eye from the subjects.

Yes, you are right Chris the artist has painted so well those lovely hands delicately picking the purple-red berries. a fine description of a lovely painting..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella. Yes it is another beautiful painting, another poem I wrote round about the time I was doing my online poetry course. Hope you are enjoying the sunny weather today.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Yes thank you, grandchildren have just gone home and son has cut the lawn and done some jobs for me... a lovely day

[Chris Shaw]

We will be having a family bbq to celebrate my eldest grandson's birthday. Sounds like you have had a great day

[Stella Armour]

yes, all quiet now .... enjoy your celebrations Chris :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you: ))