Thursday, May 10, 2007

The Seduction of the Strawberry

















some would call your thin complexion
one that causes much rejection
just one taste of your confection
what a tramp

oh the bliss when you are plump
slowly ripening on your stump
my mouth craving every bump
you're a tease

preparation without damage
dainty slices that I ravage
eat you whole just like a savage
now you're gone



Here in the valley, we have many environmental signs that blatantly tell us the time of year. Besides the distinct weather changes, the surrounding orchards take on a personality all of their own. The recent burst of blooms and bees welcomed in the spring. Rows upon rows of fruit and nut trees, look like finely dressed ladies, primly gossipping to catch up after winters long sleep. But, there is nothing like the anticipation of the strawberry. The roadside fruit stands all open up and try to tease us with early picking, but they lack the pungent smell and sweet taste that patience and waiting rewards. I see the green carts bursting with the brilliance of red, but I already know the disappointment I will feel biting into the premature fruit and so, I wait. Just about now, the red color changes its hue. It deepens and like a siren, calls out to the ones who have driven past her yesterday, we all know who we are. So, we stop and spend the best $12 dollars money can buy, as we carefully choose our half flats. We eat at least 2 in the car driving home, that decadent reward for being patient, making noises that are only appropriate for the things we crave...and then, a bowl full at the dinner table that night. Everyone sits down and our eyes are drawn to their magnificent color and without saying a word we all know that summer is just around the corner.

25 Comments:

Blogger Mindy said...

such sweet seduction. i can hear summertime calling! yummy words, d. xo, mindy

11:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is by far the most delicious post I´ve ever read.

I remember summers when i was little when we eat strawberries from our own garden. Those where the days... :)

xoxo silvia

11:12 AM  
Blogger daisies said...

and yes what sweet seduction it is :) mmmmmmm i am craving these juicy red treats now and may have to pick some up : ) wonderfully delicious words ...

12:31 PM  
Blogger LEstes65 said...

What a photo. What a poet.

12:42 PM  
Blogger Kelly Sime said...

mmmm...strawberries.

1:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, did you make strawberries seem THAT much sweeter with your delicious words! :-)

xoxoxo

4:11 PM  
Blogger sandy said...

yum...sandy

5:46 PM  
Blogger Wanda said...

oh my goodness, darlene...I'm drooling all over my computer.

The poem is so seductive...I was blushing by the time I finished reading it....(((smile))) but I love it.

6:07 PM  
Blogger Angela Marie said...

Mmm...

From time to time, I remember finding a box of strawberries on my doorstep and thinking I have met someone who loves these berries as much as me.

11:27 PM  
Blogger Vanessa said...

mmmm my mouth is watering, Darlene!
the poem is so fun and wonderful... our Irish strawberries come a lot later as the sun is more sparse here as yet, but meanwhile i can't resist the trays of imported Spanish strawberries red and luscious, sweet and delicious... and the kids adoooore them too.
next time i pop one in my mouth, i'll think of your poem and smile :)

3:42 AM  
Blogger Constance said...

I like your comment about biting into premature fruit and the taste of disappoint it leaves. I see a Spiritual lesson from The Father in that word picture!
Connie

4:36 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

mmmmmmmm. mmmmmmmmmm.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

that sounds so YUMMY.

mmmmm.

i love this sweet post.

7:04 AM  
Blogger ~Michelle~ said...

Strawberries are one of my favorite summertime things!

Memories of being a little girl and going to the strawberry patch with Mom to pick fresh berries. Getting that oh-so-perfect berry with just the right juicy sweetness. Going to Farmer's Market and having the strawberry scent waft through the car on the ride home. Mmmmm.

10:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Only 2??

Every summer my kids compete with each other, and the dog, to eat from our strawberry plants at the house. Usually my youngest (now 3) ends up eating green ones because she can't stand to wait for them to turn red.

10:13 AM  
Blogger Mary Timme said...

Yum-o! Beautiful picture too, is the smell? Nope its the taste. Strawberry floozies, that what we are.

12:53 PM  
Blogger JP (mom) said...

Mmmmmm, how I love the strawberry too! Wonderfully fun poem. Much love and peace, JP

5:57 AM  
Blogger cherry girl said...

Yum! A delectable description of delicious strawberries!! I agree with the waiting though! I love the shape/image of strawberries and have found a top with it's print on that you poem has made me itch even more to buy (along with a punnet of strawberries too;)

11:07 AM  
Blogger AMY said...

I really dig your new style of necklace photos. Great angle.

1:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Mother´s Day!!!

loving you xoxoxo

2:46 AM  
Blogger Jenny said...

What a yummy picture!

4:56 PM  
Blogger Shaz said...

Happy Mummas Day Sweeet Friend.

10:19 PM  
Blogger J. Andrew Lockhart said...

I came here from Wanda's blog -- I really enjoyed your poetry! Look forward to come see more. :)

10:48 PM  
Blogger Shari said...

Mmmm, I am off to get some strawberries...asap. :)

6:35 PM  
Blogger Shari said...

Mmmm, I am off to get some strawberries...asap. :)

6:36 PM  
Blogger boho girl said...

*drool*

love you, sis. ; )

8:57 PM  

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