Touching Her Face – v3

A whisper of a smile,
rising on my face,
thinking once again
of that moment 18 years ago…
 
Like white-gloved hands,
at a summer cotillion,
sipping a mint julep
so were the petals of the sunflower
touching her face, her cheek…
 
Oh so delicately, so demurely,
brushing her face, as in a whisper,
pensive pose, thoughtful girl, watchful,
perhaps for an appropriate suitor…
 
Getting the vapors
at the sight of him,
shyly touching the corner
of her pursed mouth, her cheek,
at the sight of him...
 
-------------------
Edited March 16, 2025
Touching Her Face – v3
 
edited March 24, 2022
Touching Her Face – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/touching-her-face-v2.html
August 25, 2007 8:15
Touching Her Face
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/08/touching-her-face.html
sunflower opening
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, love, Nature, creator, hands, senses, touch, Faith, hope, sun, summer, God, sunflower,
 
#poetry #love #Nature #creator #hands #senses #touch #Faith #hope #sun #summer #God #sunflower

Beauty we often don’t notice – v2

We are in a rush going outside,
often on our way to work, to the grind,
we don’t stop to know, to notice, to experience,
beauty all around us, wildflowers, colors,
birdsong, the clouds, the skies,
mercy of the Creator, these gifts,
grace, written on the world…
 
Beauty we often don’t notice,
in our rush, trapped within ourselves,
not seeing the wonder all around us,
gifts of the Creator, of creation,
of nature itself, an assurance, a vision,
in our yards, in these moments,
God writes on the world…
 
--------------------  
Edited August 23, 2024
Beauty we often don’t notice – v2
 
July 16, 2024
Beauty we often don't notice
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/beauty-we-often-dont-notice.html
Edited July 16, 2024
A Garden in Our Yard – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-garden-in-our-yard-v2.html
Amanda Gorman inauguration poem
“The Hill We Climb”
and description of chaotic garden in The Shack,
by William P. Young
&
July 15, 2024
A Garden in Our Yard
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-garden-in-our-yard.html
January 16, 2016
birds sing up the morning – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/birds-sing-up-spring-v5.html
October 27, 2015
His Palette of Autumn – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/10/his-palette-of-autumn-v5.html
edited September 9, 2015
Joy in Their Dying – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/joy-in-their-dying-v2.html
Edited August 2, 2013
“His Palette of Autumn – v4”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v4.html
edited July 20, 2012
“His Palette of Summer – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer-v3.html
edited July 19, 2012
“Wildflowers – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildflowers-v3.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “birds sing up the spring”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/birds-sing-up-spring.html
inspired by remark by Harriet Bean at Spirit Study
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 15, 2012
&
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Spring”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-spring.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Summer”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Winter”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-winter.html
edited July 17, 2012
“His Palette of Autumn – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v3.html
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v3.html?showComment=1342574834468#c1791476960842466709
September 14, 2010
Joy in Their Dying
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/joy-in-their-dying.html
September 14, 2010
His Palette of Autumn
http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/his-palette-of-autumn.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, sun, nature, God, Faith, color, winter, spring, summer, flowers, bright, pastel, light green, slumber, awakening,
 
‪#poetry #sun ‪#nature ‪#God #Faith ‪#God ‪#color #winter ‪#spring ‪#sky #blue #green #awakening #rising #hope #promise #summer

Beauty we often don’t notice

We are in a rush going outside,
Often on our way to work, to the grind,
We don’t stop to know, to experience,
The beauty all around us, the wildflowers,
The birdsong, the clouds, the skies,
The mercy of the Creator, these gifts,
Written on the world…
 
Beauty we often don’t notice,
In our rush, trapped in ourselves,
Not seeing the wonder all around us,
The gifts of the Creator, of creation,
Of nature itself, an assurance, a vision,
In our yards, in these moments,
Written on the world…

 
-------------------- 

July 16, 2024

Beauty we often don't notice

Edited July 16, 2024
A Garden in Our Yard – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-garden-in-our-yard-v2.html
Amanda Gorman inauguration poem
“The Hill We Climb”
and description of chaotic garden in The Shack,
by William P. Young
&
July 15, 2024
A Garden in Our Yard
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-garden-in-our-yard.html
January 16, 2016
birds sing up the morning – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/birds-sing-up-spring-v5.html
October 27, 2015
His Palette of Autumn – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/10/his-palette-of-autumn-v5.html
edited September 9, 2015
Joy in Their Dying – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/joy-in-their-dying-v2.html
Edited August 2, 2013
“His Palette of Autumn – v4”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v4.html
edited July 20, 2012
“His Palette of Summer – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer-v3.html
edited July 19, 2012
“Wildflowers – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildflowers-v3.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “birds sing up the spring”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/birds-sing-up-spring.html
inspired by remark by Harriet Bean at Spirit Study
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 15, 2012
&
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Spring”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-spring.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Summer”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Winter”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-winter.html
edited July 17, 2012
“His Palette of Autumn – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v3.html
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v3.html?showComment=1342574834468#c1791476960842466709
September 14, 2010
Joy in Their Dying
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/joy-in-their-dying.html
September 14, 2010
His Palette of Autumn
http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/his-palette-of-autumn.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, sun, nature, God, Faith, color, winter, spring, summer, flowers, bright, pastel, light green, slumber, awakening,
 
‪#poetry #sun ‪#nature ‪#God #Faith ‪#God ‪#color #winter ‪#spring ‪#sky #blue #green #awakening #rising #hope #promise #summer

A Garden in Our Yard – v2

Nature’s beauty is all around us,
if we will see it, if we will perceive it,
A garden in our front yard, growing,
not planted, chaotic, gifted by God,
wildflowers, rising, eternal beauty...
 
Planted by God, a gift of beauty,
weeds to some, lacking vision,
Seeing God's hand, a blessing,
in wildflowers growing, chaotic,
in the grass of our front yard...

 
--------------------

Edited July 16, 2024

A Garden in Our Yard – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-garden-in-our-yard-v2.html 

Amanda Gorman inauguration poem

“The Hill We Climb”

and description of chaotic garden in The Shack

by William P. Young

& 

July 15, 2024
A Garden in Our Yard
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-garden-in-our-yard.html
January 16, 2016
birds sing up the morning – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/birds-sing-up-spring-v5.html
October 27, 2015
His Palette of Autumn – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/10/his-palette-of-autumn-v5.html
edited October 27, 2015
birds sing up the spring – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/10/birds-sing-up-spring-v4.html
(editing version 3)
edited September 9, 2015
Joy in Their Dying – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/joy-in-their-dying-v2.html
Edited August 2, 2013
“His Palette of Autumn – v4”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v4.html
edited July 20, 2012
“His Palette of Summer – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer-v3.html
edited July 19, 2012
“birds sing up the spring – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/birds-sing-up-spring-v3.html
edited July 19, 2012
“Wildflowers – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildflowers-v3.html
edited July 19, 2012
“His Palette of Summer – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer-v2.html
edited July 18, 2012
“Wildflowers – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildflowers-v2.html
new poem – “Wildflowers”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildflowers.html
edited July 18, 2012
“birds sing up the spring – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/birds-sing-up-spring-v2.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “birds sing up the spring”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/birds-sing-up-spring.html
inspired by remark by Harriet Bean
at Spirit Study
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 15, 2012
&
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Spring”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-spring.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Summer”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Winter”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-winter.html
edited July 17, 2012
edited July 17, 2012
“His Palette of Autumn – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v3.html
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v3.html?showComment=1342574834468#c1791476960842466709
September 14, 2010
“His Palette of Autumn – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/his-palette-of-autumn-v2.html
September 14, 2010
Joy in Their Dying
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/joy-in-their-dying.html
September 14, 2010
His Palette of Autumn
http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/his-palette-of-autumn.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, sun, nature, God, Faith, color, winter, spring, summer, flowers, bright, pastel, light green, slumber, awakening,
 
‪#poetry #sun ‪#nature ‪#God #Faith ‪#God ‪#color #winter ‪#spring ‪#sky #blue #green #awakening #rising #hope #promise #summer

A Garden in Our Yard

Beauty all around us,

if we will see it,

if we will perceive it,

A garden in our yard

Flowers, eternal beauty...

Planted by God, a gift,

weeds to some, lacking vision,

Seeing God's hand,

in wildflowers growing,

in the grass of our yard...

--------------------
July 15, 2024
A Garden in Our Yard
 
January 16, 2016
birds sing up the morning – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/birds-sing-up-spring-v5.html
October 27, 2015
His Palette of Autumn – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/10/his-palette-of-autumn-v5.html
edited October 27, 2015
birds sing up the spring – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/10/birds-sing-up-spring-v4.html
(editing version 3)
edited September 9, 2015
Joy in Their Dying – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/joy-in-their-dying-v2.html
Edited August 2, 2013
“His Palette of Autumn – v4”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v4.html
edited July 20, 2012
“His Palette of Summer – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer-v3.html
edited July 19, 2012
“birds sing up the spring – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/birds-sing-up-spring-v3.html
edited July 19, 2012
“Wildflowers – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildflowers-v3.html
edited July 19, 2012
“His Palette of Summer – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer-v2.html
edited July 18, 2012
“Wildflowers – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildflowers-v2.html
new poem – “Wildflowers”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildflowers.html
edited July 18, 2012
“birds sing up the spring – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/birds-sing-up-spring-v2.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “birds sing up the spring”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/birds-sing-up-spring.html
inspired by remark by Harriet Bean
at Spirit Study
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 15, 2012
&
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Spring”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-spring.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Summer”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-summer.html
July 18, 2012
new poem – “His Palette of Winter”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-winter.html
edited July 17, 2012
edited July 17, 2012
“His Palette of Autumn – v3”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v3.html
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/his-palette-of-autumn-v3.html?showComment=1342574834468#c1791476960842466709
September 14, 2010
“His Palette of Autumn – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/his-palette-of-autumn-v2.html
September 14, 2010
Joy in Their Dying
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/joy-in-their-dying.html
September 14, 2010
His Palette of Autumn
http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/09/his-palette-of-autumn.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
sun, nature, God, Faith, color, winter, spring, summer, flowers, bright, pastel, light green, slumber, awakening,
 
‪#sun ‪#nature ‪#God #Faith ‪#God ‪#color #summer ‪#sky #blue #green #awakening #rising #hope #promise

A Cup of Berries – v6

Picked by hand, so tiny, gems,
blackberries, from our walk,
each one fully ripe, tart, sweet,
Cool in the stained take-out coffee cup,
sitting on a shelf in her dark fridge…
 
Open and inviting, calling me
to pick, to taste another,
Crimson stain on my fingers
ripe berry past my lips
so tart, so sweet…
 
August fruit, berries,
ripe summer fruit
kept from spoiling,
Enticing me again
to reach in for more…
 
============== 
Edited March 11, 2024
A Cup of Berries – v6
 
Edited March 11, 2024
Open and Inviting – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/open-and-inviting-v2.html
&
edited February 12, 2022
A Cup of Berries – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-cup-of-berries-v5.html
edited February 11, 2022
living goblets – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/living-goblets-v4.html
Edited after reading "Blackberries",
by Mary Oliver
&
edited November 28, 2019
living goblets – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v3.html
edited November 27, 2019
living goblets – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v2.html
November 27, 2019
living goblets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-of-juice-of-nectar-no.html
&
edited November 28, 2019
A Cup of Berries – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-cup-of-berries-v4.html
edited August 22, 2019
A Cup of Berries – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-cup-of-berries-v3.html
edited June 21, 2014
A Cup of Berries – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-cup-of-berries-v2.html
August 10, 2008
A Cup of Berries
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/08/cup-of-berries.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
-----------------
poetry, color, description, writing poetry, shade, hue, language, nature, image, imagination, photograph, art, beauty, alive, senses, eyes, power,
 
#poetry #color #description #writingpoetry #shade #hue #words #language #nature #image #imagination #photograph #art #beauty #alive #senses #eyes #power
 
-------------
poetry, blackberry, blackberries, nature, harvest, bramble,
 
#poetry #Blackberry #blackberries #nature #harvest #bramble
 
----------
poetry, blackberries, blood, colors, creator, crimson, Faith, Family, fingers, fire, fruit, God, hands, hope, Nature, raspberries, red, ripe, summer, Lori Eldridge,
 
#poetry #blackberries #blood #colors #crimson #Faith #Family #fingers #fire #fruit #God #hands #Nature #raspberries #ripe #summer
 
 

Open and Inviting – v2

Open and inviting,
calling me to reach, to pick,
crimson stain on my fingers,
ripe berry past my lips…
 
August fruit, inviting,
ripe summer fruit
enticing me again
to reach in for more…
 
=============
Edited March 11, 2024
Open and Inviting – v2
 
&
edited February 12, 2022
A Cup of Berries – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-cup-of-berries-v5.html
edited February 11, 2022
living goblets – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/living-goblets-v4.html
Edited after reading "Blackberries",
by Mary Oliver
&
edited November 28, 2019
living goblets – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v3.html
edited November 27, 2019
living goblets – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v2.html
November 27, 2019
living goblets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-of-juice-of-nectar-no.html
&
edited November 28, 2019
A Cup of Berries – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-cup-of-berries-v4.html
edited August 22, 2019
A Cup of Berries – v3
&
August 6, 2018
Open and inviting
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/08/open-and-inviting.html
August 5, 2018
my reply
https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1026279624072937474
August 5, 2018
writing prompt, “How poetic can you be? Write a short poem about what you see!”
a closeup picture of blueberries, red raspberries, and blackberries
https://twitter.com/RealisticPoetry/status/1026107637639725056
edited June 21, 2014
A Cup of Berries – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-cup-of-berries-v2.html
August 10, 2008
A Cup of Berries
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/08/cup-of-berries.html
Rev. Lori Eldredge’s kitchen
North Kingstown, RI
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
-----------------
poetry, color, description, writing poetry, shade, hue, language, nature, image, imagination, photograph, art, beauty, alive, senses, eyes, power,
 
#poetry #color #description #writingpoetry #shade #hue #words #language #nature #image #imagination #photograph #art #beauty #alive #senses #eyes #power
 
---------------
Poetry, blackberries, blood, coffee, creator, crimson, Faith, Family, fingers, fruit, God, hope, Nature, raspberries, blueberries, blue, red, ripe, summer, August, Realistic Poetry,
 
#poetry #blackberries #blood #coffee #colors #creator #crimson #Faith #Family #fingers #fire #fruit #God #hands #hope #Nature #raspberries #blueberries #blue #red #ripe #summer #August #RealisticPoetry #photograph #photography #imagination #poem #poetry

living goblets – v5

I had never stopped like this time,
pausing to see the beauty,
wonder of raspberries,
even slightly overripe,
before tasting the first one
 
thrown in the package,
red living goblets
of juice, of nectar
some overturned, on their side
offering their blessing
 
dark warm liquid joy
no base, no stemware
red living goblets
filled with life, essence,
offering love, sweet taste
 
soft, swollen raspberry cups,
some overripe, fragile,
crushed by my fingers,
staining my hands, wet,
no matter how gentle my touch
 
picked from the package,
ever so gently, raised,
a toast to the taste,
brought to my lips
cups of longing, of juice
 
red raspberries giving
their nectar, their essence,
supple living goblets
offering themselves, joyfully,
to my hungry open mouth
 
---------------------
Edited February 29, 2024
living goblets – v5
 
edited February 11, 2022
living goblets – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/living-goblets-v4.html
Edited after reading "Blackberries",
by Mary Oliver
&
edited November 28, 2019
living goblets – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v3.html
edited November 27, 2019
living goblets – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v2.html
November 27, 2019
living goblets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-of-juice-of-nectar-no.html
&
edited November 28, 2019
A Cup of Berries – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-cup-of-berries-v4.html
edited August 22, 2019
A Cup of Berries – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-cup-of-berries-v3.html
edited June 21, 2014
A Cup of Berries – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-cup-of-berries-v2.html
August 10, 2008
A Cup of Berries
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/08/cup-of-berries.html
&
edited February 10, 2022
Apricot and Periwinkle – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/apricot-and-periwinkle-v7.html
edited after reading “Little Sister Pond”,
by Mary Oliver
&
edited March 21, 2021
Apricot and Periwinkle - v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/03/apricot-and-periwinkle-v6.html
edited May 5, 2018
Apricot and Periwinkle – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/05/apricot-and-periwinkle-v5.html
(editing version 4, adding 1^st stanza)
edited September 28, 2017
Apricot and Periwinkle – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/09/apricot-and-periwinkle-v4.html
edited January 18, 2016
Apricot and Periwinkle – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/apricot-and-periwinkle-v3.html
(merging edits to version 2 and original)
edited June 21, 2014
Apricot and Periwinkle – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/apricot-and-periwinkle-v2.html
Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night
Apricot and Periwinkle
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/sunset-seeing-colors.html
Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night 
Swain’s Lake, Barrington, NH
&
February 10, 2022
where they bedded for the night
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/where-they-bedded-for-night.html
written after reading “Little Sister Pond”,
by Mary Oliver
&
Edited February 10, 2022
something ancient, sacred - v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v6.html
February 10, 2022
Gathering another branch
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gathering-another-branch.html
written after reading "A Meeting"
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 8, 2022
Building their nest – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/building-their-nest-v2.html
February 7, 2022
Building their nest
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/building-their-nest.html
&
edited February 10, 2022
something ancient, sacred – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v5.html
edited February 10, 2022
something ancient, sacred – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v4.html
edited February 9, 2022
something ancient, sacred – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v3.html
edited after reading, “Crossing the Swamp”,
by Mary Oliver
&
Edited October 19, 2013
something ancient, sacred – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/something-ancient-sacred-v2.html
July 21, 2013
something ancient, sacred
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/07/something-ancient-sacred.html
about fishing trip
July 17, 2013
&
edited February 9, 2022
drawn to the source – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/drawn-to-source-v2.html
February 9, 2022
drawn to the source
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/drawn-to-source.html
written after reading, “The Fish” and
“Honey at the Table”,
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 9, 2022
Wooing the Darkness to Sleep – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/wooing-darkness-to-sleep-v2.html
February 9, 2022
Wooing the Darkness to Sleep
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/wooing-darkness-to-sleep.html
written after reading, “White Night”,
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 9, 2022
Her Lady Slipper – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/her-lady-slipper-v3.html
edited after reading “May”,
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 9, 2022
at the edge of the lake – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v4.html
edited February 9, 2022
at the edge of the lake – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v3.html
edited February 9, 2022
at the edge of the lake – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v2.html
edited February 9, 2022
onto the water – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/onto-water-v2.html
February 8, 2022
onto the water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/onto-water.html
about summer 2000,
written after reading "Blossom"
by Mary Oliver
&
February 8, 2022
at the edge of the lake
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake.html
about summer 2000,
written after reading "Morning on Great Pond"
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 8, 2022
in the woods I wandered – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered-v3.html
edited February 8, 2022
in the woods I wandered – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered-v2.html
February 8, 2022
in the woods I wandered
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered.html
written after reading “Spring”
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 8, 2022
The bramble enticing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-bramble-enticing-v2.html
February 8, 2022
the bramble enticing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-bramble-enticing.html
Written after reading "Skunk Cabbage"
by Mary Oliver
&
February 6, 2022
Diatomaceous earth
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/diatomaceous-earth.html
Written after reading "Rain in Ohio",
By Mary Oliver
&
February 6, 2022
The raptors, their carrion
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-raptors-their-carrion.html
Written after reading "Vultures" by Mary Oliver.
&
January 3, 2022
A squadron of geese
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-squadron-of-geese.html
written after reading Clapp’s Brook by Mary Oliver
&
January 3, 2022
The bear cub
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-bear-cub.html
About drive out of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
after 2019 Stars Over Katahdin dark skies event. 
Drafted after reading first part of poem "Clapp's Brook" by Mary Oliver.
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, blackberries, blood, colors, creator, crimson, Faith, Family, fingers, fire, fruit, God, hands, hope, Nature, raspberries, red, ripe, summer, Lori Eldridge,
 
#poetry #blackberries #blood #colors #crimson #Faith #Family #fingers #fire #fruit #God #hands #Nature #raspberries #ripe #summer

No gloves #bakery #oven

Sorry if my memory is imprecise,
if I don’t get all the facts straight,
but I so member marveling, stopping,
watching how he worked.
 
This was my orientation of sorts,
not yet on the job training, working,
walking on a tour of the bread factory,
Where I would spend many weeks.
 
I was transfixed for a few moments,
watching how he worked,
a combination of brute force
and the repetition he knew…
 
Standing at the bread oven,
catching the pans as they crashed out,
hot from the cooking, ready,
to be sent on down the line.
 
I was a bit bolder than I should be,
asking how long he had worked there,
thirty-six years old and eighteen years,
right after graduating high school.
 
Why I remember a five-minute conversation,
now forty-five years since those moments,
is that his hands were thick-calloused yellow,
and on those hands he had no gloves.

-----------------
February 24, 2024
No gloves
 
&
February 24, 2024
Two shirts hanging
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/two-shirts-hanging.html
Sweating at the roll oven,
No door to the oven,
no exhaust hood…
&
February 23, 2024
Making the dough
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/making-dough.html
The mixing room on the top floor
of Holsum Bakery (formerly Goddard Bakery)
Maple Street, Claremont, NH,
Summer of 1979,
after my first year of college.
I worked 14 weeks on the roll oven
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, bakery, factory, industrial, dough, rolls, oven, bread, mixer, work, memories, Claremont, NH, summer, heat, Holsum Bakery, Goddard Bakery, Country Kitchen,
 
#Poetry #bakery #factory #industrial #dough #rolls #oven #bread #mixer #work #memories #ClaremontNH #summer #heat #HolsumBakery
 
-----------------
Poetry, bakery, factory, industrial, dough, rolls, oven, Claremont, NH, summer, heat, Holsum Bakery,
 
#Poetry #industrial #bakery #breadfactory #rolls #oven #ClaremontNH #summer #heat #HolsumBakery
 
-----------------
Poetry, bakery, bread factory, bread oven, hands, callouses, gloves, Claremont, NH, summer, heat, Holsum Bakery,
 
#Poetry #bakery #breadfactory #breadoven #hands #callouses #gloves #ClaremontNH #summer #heat #HolsumBakery