Raid

We gathered
Equipped for the
Purpose ready to go,
In a ragged line we started
Down the steep hill busy at our
Work, hands already bloody from
Scratches gathering blackberries
In our baskets in the brambles
Coiled about us, sneaking a
Blackberry when we could.
I am a boy in Belleville
With my sibs around,
I am a man with my
Sons around me in
Austin by our home
On the Jollyville
Plateau thirty
Years later
But just
As
Intent
On our raid
For blackberries
Even at the cost of
Scratches grinning at
Each other intent on
The moment as we
Taste victory and
Rejoice beating
The birds to
This sweet
Feast of
Berries.
It is
Good
Raiding
Blackberries
Is so often painful
Lest we should
Become too
Fond of it,
In pies
Tarts
On
Cereal
As jam on
Toast to victory.