Berries blacken in the bowl,
their scent no longer salivating
summer’s sweet seductions,
winter withers in the distance,
while fervent flies are fluttering,
wings flapping to the rotting
arousal of carnality lost
to natures once fair bloom.
Tastes are truly to the barer born.
Bitter berries are black in the bowl,
their flesh no longer fresh but
turned, they are turning
bruised attention to things
with darker tendencies,
igniting interest in insects,
finding themselves delicious
to diptera’s wavering wings
now deciphering detours
to decomposing juices of festering
fruits who’ve waned in worth.
Black berries, once in bloom,
are eager to be devoured
before their time dissolves.
Are we but berries
battling in this bowl of life;
thirsty to be tasted and tried
before we are aged and expired.
If only we could be grapes
that age in barrels and bottles.
All Words and Drawings by Damien B. Donnelly
Audio available on Soundcloud:
Damien B. Donnelly 
I listened again after I read this and the audio ad your voice really highlighted and heightened the alliteration, complementing the structure. Very nice.
Thank you Anita. I realized how impossible it would be for someone to read what I wrote and hear it as I had, while not always necessary I still wanted to give my take on the voice within the lines. It’s also fun, although rarely just the one take!!!
Hi Dami,
What a grand idea to read your beautiful poems for us and post it in addition to everything else. I very much enjoyed listening!
Much love,
Steffi
Thank you so much Steffi, that’s made my evening!!! Xx