Patch Work Quilt

The lane heavy with brambles
nightshades too and elderberry  
black and shiny in noonday heat  
fingers dark with bramble juice,  
sweet, tastes my tongue and purple.  
Memories compete rose buds open  
butterflies unfold their wings  
in search of the ripening stigma  
wet with honeydew and mystery.  
My finger to my lips confirms  
sweet tastes and opal charm,  
tempting nightshade purple  
hiding in the bramble leaves.  
Seek not her generous gift,  
belladonna, beware her name!  
The blackbird shuns her mystery,  
you to the rose return.  
Let honeydew quench your thirst,  
drink deep and thirst for more.  
parched mouth in noonday heat  
see the rose-bud petals fall  
stamens' fecund-dusty-yellow  
take the stigma for your own,  
none compete as petals fall.  
Breathe deep, deep, intoxicate,  
time to live and die. 
A little death small price  
as heaven beckons from tomorrow,  
mouths no longer parched,  
tongues replete and sweet.