One of the perks of a premature and overly hot summer is the early ripening of summer berries.  Usually a mid to late August treat, I have been enjoying them this year in mid July.  Maybe because they’re out of season I am paying more attention to them.  Or maybe because I’m taking a course that’s asking me to draw (not reflexive response) I’m looking at these familiar berries more closely.

Blackberries

In the early, over hot summer
they ripened early – the centre berry
already deepened, already offering itself
to me — so early my understanding ripened too.
I took it and noticed
that nine or so others were eager
to take its place, as if by releasing
this first fruit to me it awakened
the rest to fullest fullness