The Joy found in BLACKberries

Blackberries: a poem by Yusef Komunyakaa. It is not long after you read this poem a few times that you hear the familiar racial overtones of the period and location of the author's childhood. It is through the carefully chosen words and their meanings that you find this to be true. The "old lime-covered history" refers to an all-white cultural setting for this poem no doubt written from past experiences as a child growing up in Louisiana. It also lends insight into what a poor young boy might be doing to help the economic status of his family. All of these points are important to the foundation of understanding this poem and reasons for calling attention to the social injustices, but are far from where the writer wants to take you. His usage of language that helps to transport you into the berry patch, picking and eating berries, conjures the very taste of past eaten berries. He speaks of a light hearted young boy full of vim and vigor ready to take on the bold world and life ahead. A young boy that has not yet been beat down by his circumstances or the society in which he lives. A young boy that is willingly at the berry patch picking berries to sell. A young boy that finds delight in all that is surrounding him as he picks the berries, realizing the stains on his hands, "hands like a printer's Or thief's before a police blotter" will remain long after the last berry has been picked. He has the companionship of his faithful dog seeking birds to chase and understands why the frogs hide from the sun. The young boy knows his labor will be rewarded when he sells his berries which seem to be a basis for his overall positive outlook. His joy is found in the wondrous beauty of morning, the smells, the sounds, the sights, all that morning is, the beginning of a new day. The young boy finds himself almost feeling guilty for having such an opportunity to pick berries and dream "Of pies and cobbler," joy full and complete often fills one with thoughts of wondering what you may have done to deserve this. But wait all of the young boy's joy is transformed into a bitter reminder of how the berry vines are full of thorns. His reminder does not come verbally, nor by a condescending adult, but by the simple sarcastic smirk of peers wallowing in the lavish comfort their circumstance. A circumstance that they have done nothing to earn, yet they stand "sit" and look down judging those beneath them. This poem can serve as reminder of how easily your attitude can change or how just a look reminds you of pain overlooked. It also provides an opportunity to teach a lesson; don't give others the power to steal your joy. If you can maintain focus on what is really important to you, others cannot take what you don't allow them to have, keep your joy, you do deserve it. Blackberries is able to teach us so many things, but we have to become seekers of what the author was really trying to convey. When we bring our own lens to view the poem, we need to be willing to have our lens honed so that we may see more clearly. I am certain I will never turn on the A/C in my car without thinking about "wintertime crawled out of the windows."  If you are not familiar with this poem click on either of the words blackberries to follow the link I hope you enjoy the read. I may not fully understand all Yusef wanted me to in this poem this time, and I may have more to add later in my life as my lens is honed and polished. This is truly the wonder of peoms; they reveal more to us each time we read them.