2008-10-16

Renhai Reflections 25: Highbush Gleanings


Highbush Gleanings

A Renhai by Jerry McKenzie (jm), and Vaughn Seward (vs)
Written Oct 10-16, 2008

The dust and roar
of the old Case thrasher —
field of barley. /vs

Highbush cranberry aroma — /jm
sound of chickadee staccato. /vs

We make toast
from whole grain rye —
boiling jelly pot. /jm

Theme: Harvesting
Season: Autumn
Link 1 to 2: Roar / Staccato; Dust / Aroma.
Link 2 to 3: Cranberry / Jelly.
Link 3 to 1: Grain (Rye / Barley).

This Renhai was written with Jerry McKenzie who owns a farm not too far from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Highbush cranberries can be made into a delightful jelly preserve despite its distinct and somewhat unpleasant odour. Perhaps the chickadee will harvest these berries in the coming weeks and months. The last verse is a word image of Jerry's kitchen the day he and his wife turned their highbush cranberry gleanings into jelly.

8 comments:

Devika Jyothi said...

Relatively unfamiliar images for me...so all the more interesting set.

relate with the third..for the kitchen wife i'm ..:-)

see again,
wishes!
devika

polona said...

this has a nice cosy feel... another good collaboration

Masago said...

Devika, Polona: Thank you!

Janice Thomson said...

Gosh an old Case thrasher, barley, highbush cranberries, rye bread and jelly - for a few moments I was back home on the farm during harvest. Wonderful Renhai that really struck a chord with me.

jem said...

Interesting that some commenters greet this one with recognition, others not. I'm in the latter group, most of this scene is not one I've touched, but the very specific details of the names make it much more vivid and alive and far stronger than just abstract farming references might do.

Masago said...

Janice: Thanks. I was hoping this might strike chords with some folks.

Jem: Thank you for your kind words!

Pamela said...

Make mine whole wheat.
Curious about the highbush cranberry.

Masago said...

Pamela: Thanks (don't care for deli rye?).