Consider the Roses.
June loveliness
the beach roses
in full scent
the large pink clumps
and green leaves
dotting the landscape
clustered on the seashore
dead branches always
poking above the roses.
The conditions for
rugosas
four season harsh
growing on the edges of
a rough and often cold
Atlantic.
The fierce winds coming
off the ocean creates
harsh bare stalks
with sharp
protruding thorns
good perches for
little birds who
stop and sing
surveying their territory
sounding
like joy.
Mid-summer blossoms
start to form hips
the seed pods which
form in clusters
begin as orange
but by late fall
turn a
deep red hue
eventually looking like the
dried fruit
they become
a nutrient packed
food source for the birds
and small creatures that
scurry around the shore
finding safety among rocks.
I’ve shooed away
blossom pickers
who arrive in June
plucking the blossoms for
whatever purpose
informing them their harvesting
robs the critters who live here
of an important food
for their survival.
The pickers fail to notice and
are annoyed at my interference
in their quest.
Foraging humans
are not my cup of tea
the animals and birds have
no grocery stores.
Humans who are fond of
harvesting wild foods rarely
seem to consider the effect
of their actions.
One human meal may
be many days of
sustenance
food for families
of many small beings
who make these spaces
home.
The Marginal Way 
Evocative and lovely.
LikeLike