POETRY MONTH DAY # 24 —PICKING SASKATOONS AT ST. PETER'S

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Write about a particular fruit is today's suggestion from NaPoWriMo. 

I was rummaging around in my brain, trying to decide which fruit to write about, I love so many, when I suddenly remembered July at St. Peter's Benedictine Abbey in Muenster, Saskatchewan where I'd gone on a retreat. It's a lovely place to go if you want to indulge in spiritual renewal. And the food is great!


Picking Saskatoons at St. Peter's


Well into his eighties, Father Martin
walks me out to the Saskatoons,
leans his cane into a bush,
proceeds to out-pick me by a mile.

We have to get to them before the birds
he tells me as our pails turned purple
from the warmth we pour into them.

I say they looked like blueberries;
he shakes his head. Not the same,
he says, Saskatoons taste earthier,
with a hint of almond. Try one.

That night in the dining room
we eat everything in the main course,
anticipating the dessert to come,
and it doesn't disappoint—
steaming berry pie, a crust to die for,
and vanilla ice cream that melts
to a pool on our plates.

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