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

[barleygirl]

As I’ve told you before, I love seeing art thru your words! Maybe even better than going to a gallery! You really tell a story with the way you describe a painting. I love it becuz it’s quite different than my own style of describing a photo, for example. Your style is so refreshingly different yet something I also love to do! My own blackberries are just starting to ripen. I ate the first 4 ripe ones right off the vine last evening! *yippee!* Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

I also make blackberry jam Margie. Lovely. Thank you so much for your review.