Lessons

LESSONS

Squawk, squawk, squawk. Squawk, squawk.

What's that? That's bird talk.

I'm being told off.

I'm picking currants – drop, drop, drop,

into my bowl which I brought

when through the wet grass I walked.

Up in the treetop sought

this loud bird that now sulks.

I find currants he dropped.

Perhaps I'm the one at fault

for I had seen birds had sought

these red berries amongst leafy stalks.

A lesson has been taught

to cover with a net taut

once at the store bought.

Otherwise currants will be naught.

There will be less on the stalks

to plop, plop, plop into the pot.

What about this chatty bird that squawks?

If he's patient there will be seeds atop

the tall yellow sunflower stalks.

In the meantime ripe, red currants drop

this morning from their little green stalks

because the bush is laden on top.

Then off to wash and freeze these round, soft

red ruby jewels for jelly one day wrought

from currant juice, sugar, and pectin bought.

To be given as a gift oft

in a surprise basket dropped

on someone's front door stop.

* * * * *

Isn't it fun to receive a surprise?

Isn't it fun to impart a surprise?

The next page contains a poem

entitled “Pass It On.”

Perhaps you'll fill a basket with a surprise

to give to someone you know as a surprise.

Like practicing the May Day tradition.

Perhaps you'll start a brand new tradition.

The gift opens the way to the giver.

Proverbs 18:16

He selected a gift for his brother.

Genesis 32:13

Everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

Proverbs 19:6

Pass It On                                                                                 Pass It On

This basket was made to pass around                                        This basket was made to pass around

so if on your doorstep it is found                                               so if on your doorstep it is found

feel free to fill then pass along                                                   feel free to fill then pass along

to someone of whom you are fond.                                            to someone of whom you are fond.

You will brighten someone's day                                               You will brighten someone's day

when you pass around today                                                      when you pass around today

this basket filled with a surprise                                                 this basket filled with a surprise

to whomever it is that you say 'hi'.                                             to whomever it is that you say 'hi'.

Fill with love and best wishes too                                               Fill with love and best wishes too

to whomever is a friend to you.                                                   to whomever is a friend to you.

When the basket is passed around                                               When the basket is passed around

blessings abundant will abound.                                                  blessings abundant will abound.

Four more cups added to the freezer today.

Should be more than enough for a batch of jelly 

after harvesting is completed.

Harvested this afternoon before the rains returned.

Noticed the birds were informing each other

either that I was taking their free dinner or to take cover.

When I have an abundance of currant jelly,
I have put in a basket with the above poem attached.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II 

go to WestBow Press.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

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