Brambles

By Aidan O'Shea.      ©2015

In the later days of August brambles are on the march.

They have climbed unseen through flowering shrubs

Grasping their way with backwards pointing spines

Until canes appear and arch towards the south.

Cane tips touch the ground, rootlets nudge the soil

And next spring's growth is asexually established.

By the way, the bramble being a rose, surnamed Rosaceae

Can also entertain sexual thoughts of flower and fruit.

This it coyly does every second season of bees and birds

Who dip for pollen or peck the soft blackberry

Close cousin of the cherry, almond and the pear

It calls us to forage in September country lanes.

Let's gather up our stock of empty jars and lids

Five plastic tubs to store the jammy harvest.

Wear Jeans and long sleeved shirts and rubber gloves

And don't forget the flask, the milk and sandwiches.