Skagit Rubies

Skagit Valley strawberry fields sweetened by the Salish sun. Study prep and experiment. Stained fingertips apron and spoon. Pare bubble simmer the tune. Muscles argue and tendons confer push and stir. Steam saps the water from the loam. Strawberry stains the countertop and seines of memory. Flame and flavor pucker the palate. Wound the wrist lick the fist. Mark me. Make me. Save me for pots and pancakes. Warm the stove thresh the fruit. Cradle the jars hot glass cools ladle too far. Fingertips burn and earn. Lids and lips seal drop and pop. 12 hours pass at the morning break. Rows of jars tinny ring all ours dip the knife strike the jelly slakes the belly. Backbone aches cut soil and crown. Strawberry moon begins.

This labor my love runs root deep. A taste experiment a love testament.

Let’s repeat. 

This poem was originally published as a postcard and copies distributed at a local Redmond business (Spark Pizza) as part of Read Local Eat Local, a poetry project by the City of Redmond's Poet Laureate, Ching-In Chen. (Sep. 2025)