Oranges and Cherries, by Stephen Kingsnorth

Still Life With Basket of Cherries, Oranges and a Chinese Blue and White Vase, by Arthur Dudley (Britain) 19th/20th century

Oranges and Cherries
 
The daily privilege of choice
was known by me when moving house.
Painted in oils, Dutch vessels fish,
but evening drab, dirt fog the murk,
vast unattractive sea scape spread.
 
I chose the black-framed Dudley print
cherry basket, vase, oranges.
No cash value attached at all,
but print hangs from the wall at home.
 
Behind us, sixty years ago,
I trace the bookshelves - upstairs now -
tobacco jar, a bowl, a bell,
and from the twenties picture rail
hook the framed orange, cheap heirloom,
but family tradition grew.
 
In snaps, black and white, first colour,
the fruit seemed always edible.
 
I wonder who acquired and when;
did they find the peel, pips and pith
so realistic, palate won.
 
I look at artist's other work,
the still-life items re-arranged,
pot boilers, but each richly juiced.
​
Stephen Kingsnorth

Stephen Kingsnorth, retired to Wales from ministry in the Methodist Church, has had pieces accepted by some twenty on-line poetry sites, including The Ekphrastic Review; and Gold Dust, The Seventh Quarry, The Dawntreader, Foxtrot Uniform Poetry Magazines & Vita Brevis Anthology. https://poetrykingsnorth.wordpress.com/