The Tree of Scarlet Berries

Source: Holly Hill Nurseries

The rain gullies the garden paths

And tinkles on the broad sides of grass blades.

A tree, at the end of my arm, is hazy with mist.

Even so, I can see that it has red berries,

A scarlet fruit,

Filmed over with moisture.

It seems as though the rain,

Dripping from it,

Should be tinged with colour.

I desire the berries,

But, in the mist, I only scratch my hand on the thorns.

Probably, too, they are bitter.

~ Amy Lowell

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Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup. ~ Wendell Berry