WHITE LIE by Nancy Simpson
End of May and we have nothing
better to do than walk on the mountain,
our cardigans closed against the cold.
You cannot take back one lie,
no even white ones, subtle
as berry blossoms beside this path.
I kick a stone and tell you I believe
we will pull free from the brambles.
Old timers call this Blackberry Winter,
a temporary cold spell, quick to pass.
Previously published in Davidson Miscellany
Included in Night Student
13 comments:
Nancy,
I love this poem about blackberry winter. I don't think I've ever heard it before. It's one of your best poems and so right for this time of year.
Hi Nancy,
Everytime I see the blackberry blossoms in the spring, I know soon there will be a cool spell.
This is another good poem Nancy.
Thanks for letting us read it.
Glenda Barrett
This is one of my favorite poems-by you. And so good for this time of the year.
I love this one and the pictures here are just beautiful!!!!! Why do I love this little "White Lie" so much?!?! WOW!!!
I love you .... see you soon!!!
Lynn
Hi Lynn, I knew you'd recognize these blackberry bushes. You know eactly where they are. They will be full of berries this year. "Easy pickins." Mark your calendar.
This little poem has been around so long, but some people are reading it for the first time.
Miss you. Mom
Hi Nancy, I too have always liked this poem. Boy, have we had blackberry winter here. I was so afraid our garden would be hit by frost but we dodged the frost-bullet this time. Blackberries are taking over a portion of our backyard. I just had a blackberry poem accepted. So, a high five for blackberries in poems! And out of them, too.
Thanks Kay. It's so good to hear from you.
It has been a chilly Blackberry Winter here too.
Congratulations on getting your blackberry poem
accepted. I'll look forward to reading it.
Love it and the pictures. Our blackberries want to take over our driveway this year.
See you tomorrow night?
Karen
Hi Karen, Yes, I'm rooting for you.
Nancy, I could have sworn I had already commented on this clear cut diamond of a poem. I must have hit the wrong button, something I am prone to.
Masterful metaphor for those cold sticky times we hope/know will pass. Perfect for the black berry winter we are having now. Pure satisfying perfection, this!
Thank you Pat. You know I appreciate your opinion on my poems and I always have. I still remember when NCWN West poets met in that old out building at TCCC. Your comments alone kept me writing at that time. Thanks.
This is a beautiful poem and I feel I am right there with you on your walk. The blackberry plants were in full bloom when I left there and they will be thick with blackberries on my return. I love how you love this land.
Hello Judy, It is so good to hear from you. Hurry back to the mountains.
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