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| Edible mushrooms in a basket by George Chernilevsky |
Grandmother spoke mushrooms like no one else
Chanterelles, she said, morels true but don’t
eat the jack-o’-lanterns and false morels
death caps and destroying angel mushrooms.
Stick to lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms—
look for the ring around the stem, she said,
and she took me for walks with her basket
for gathering, her tiny knife for roots.
Gloves protected her fingers from poison
when she picked one each of look-a-likes to
match against pictures in her mushroom book
at home. This was my
favorite part, turning leaves.
Past undecipherable Latin names
were life-sized pictures with descriptions for
the mix and match game we played thoroughly
before washing and stir frying our treat.
Was it safe? I live
to tell the tale, though
I have since learned the ring can also lie.
Our woods, though, mothered and welcomed us, and
Grandmother spoke mushrooms like no one else.
For my prompt
Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Mother Tongue
Copyright © 2015 S.L.Chast
What a unique and wonderful way into the prompt...we are quite excited about the idea of a mushroom hunt...but of course these languages are not just the action..they are a transmission of love and belonging and learning - hopefully
ReplyDeleteI had parents and grandparents that taught me. I only trust myself on a very few.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written.
Oh I LOVE this! Lapped up every word, as a cat does cream. Grandmother tongue is the best of all!
ReplyDeleteThis is great, Susan!! What wonderful moments we share with our grandmothers. So much we can absorb from them when we listen. This makes me think of my maternal grandmother. Her thing was always purses though. Not quite the same as mushrooms, but she did always know a good purse like no one else! :) :)
ReplyDeleteaww...cute mushroom language in that wise old voice wrapping up the little girl in the warmth of love....
ReplyDeleteah... this was charming to read... love how you opened and ended
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of 'speaking mushrooms' really. If my mother spoke something, it would have been 'rhubarb' or perhaps 'tomatoes,' or maybe 'geraniums.' I know mushrooms are not grown, but harvested...so there is more a skill in finding them. I do think it takes a talent to choose the ones that aren't poisonous. As much as I like mushrooms I wouldn't trust myself to do that. You were lucky to have such a grandmother, Susan.
ReplyDeleteI think our grandmothers knew so much. My grandmother spoke healing herbs, but I never listened. I love this poem Susan. I never even knew mushrooms existed until I was in my mid-twenties. Now I love them, but would never know how to pick the right ones from the earth. It sounds like your grandmother was special, and not just in speaking mushrooms. Great poem.
ReplyDeleteHow stunning this piece is which is of course about love and trust. I happily gathered wild mushrooms in the UK but wouldn't dare in Australia!
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous tale to be enjoyed by all. Grandmothers near and far sure did have that knowledge from another age didn't they?
ReplyDeleteGood to have someone to show the way. And you are able to rattle off their names. Just amazing Susan! There have been cases of poisoning. One can never be sure as it takes experience and not just books to know the edibles.
ReplyDeleteHank.
i actually wish i could speak mushroom...i love the taste of them....mmm sauteed or stir fried...
ReplyDeletecool too that you had these times with your gramma
It was a time when we believed that our grandmothers knew everything. They did know a lot actually.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this poem!
ReplyDeleteSo many things, Grandmother spoke like no other.
ReplyDeleteA fun story. The knowledge thst we get from experience is useful to pass on.
ReplyDeleteGoodness!! I love the cyclic quality of repeating the first line in your closing, Susan! This practice is one that I wish I were confident, (or daring/trusting!), enough to do. Beautiful poem!
ReplyDeletei know people who collect mushrooms themselves and have enough knowledge to separate the dangerous ones from the eatable... i myself wouldn't dare to try as i know that it needs some experience and some are not easy to identify
ReplyDeleteSusan, in my own family it was my grandfather who was the mushroom expert. He was a botanist and I trusted him. I do not think I now know someone I would go and collect mushrooms with.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteI love this personal memory and connection you shared from your grandmother.. A very specific subject, characterized by your grandmother. The full value of vocal contact, and the benefits of personal conversations, versus, the world of IT and computers and texting etc!!
Great prompt Susan,
Eileen
Grandmothers were so wise. I learned so much from mine. Thanks for sharing as story about yours.
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Very well put together! I love the looking at the pages (and the gloves!) k.
ReplyDelete