PROTECTION

PROTECTION

 

Down the red granite gravel road
to a cul-de-sac of white birch,
white pine
white light
open to the Divine.
Ice cream pails tied
to our waists,
old scarves tied to our heads.

Meaty deerflies
dived and butterflies danced
as we three; Grandma, Grandpa and me
made our way into the raspberry’s dense
sharp sweetness.
In silence we picked
while the air hummed
heavy with humidity.
Holding,
holding us close.
So still.
Softly we picked,
breathing in sync,
fingers stained with
berry blood.

We found a place
where the bushes sank.
Pushed low by a heavy force.
Bear, here, only heartbeats ago.
Nose and paw
fruit and tongue
stained with
berry blood.

 

© Tracy Chipman

Published in This Enduring Gift, 2010

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The poetry in this book will bring an entirely new appreciation for this genre. Freddy Niagara Fonseca inspired me to buy the book after I heard his readings.
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I took This Enduring Gift on a Shaklee cruise this last week, and had the most profound experiences reading from it before I went to bed. It was a very introspective time, and the poetry made it infinitely richer. Thanks so much for that labor of love.
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I really enjoyed the book launch. It was a great success. And I have been enjoying the book a lot, particularly your opening words - very well said.
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Just read the samples from the book and loved your intro, and the whole look and sound of it. What a gathering of light.
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Thank you for the opportunity to share my work in this volume of really what I would call the Fairfield School of Poetry. It is truly a historic edition of some of our finest poetry.
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