Brambles

Living in the forests of Oregon, there are two prevalent invasive species. Poison Oak and Himalayan Blackberries. The blackberries ripen in the heat of late summer. Quite the treat! Over the winter, the blackberry vines lose their leaves and reveal a tangled mess of gray thorns. As my mother would remind me, the brambles are place where Brear rabbit could find shelter. The vulnerability to be known or seen is to risk being entangled in the brambles.

A wall of gray stalks
hardened by my years.
Weathered through by drought and ice
A bulwark for my fears.

A tangled mass of growth
whose nature is to fruit
A cadence of renewal
That winter renders moot.

And In the days I ripen
My bounty had by chance
Clever hands find sweetness
Though oft a bloody lance.

My bramble yielded trails
For deft small quick feet.
welcome respite for a few
And all the fruit to eat.