Mulberries in the Piedmont by Bartholomew Barker

Mulberries in the Piedmontby Bartholomew Barker [author’s site] From the first snow meltuntil my coatless hike,I’ve walked under this treewithout noticing its mulberries.I rush to pluck the fruit,ripened purple over a warm night,pop juicy morsels in my stained mouth,gambling on sweet against tart.A mother starling nags from overhead,so I leave a few for her hatchlings—a…