At DWC, we’ve introduced a monthly internal writing competition for our members. Poetry or prose, 150 word limit. You can find previous winners here.
Potted History
In December, the theme for our internal writing competition was Potted History and the winner was Celia Harper, with this evocative memory.
My Mother’s Pantry 1963
The pantry’s full of Kilner jars
of spiced cinnamon -scented apples from the wood,
bottled plump red raspberries,
tart blackcurrants to burst on the tongue
in crumbles and flaky pastry pies,
sour goosegogs and blackberry jams.
Steeped plum vodka and sloe gin for the grown-ups,
sweet blackberry vinegar to tenderise meat,
fat onions, their papery kite-tails trailing over the shelf edge,
spuds in stout paper sacks
and salted Scarlet Emperor runner beans,
wrapped apples to stuff with butter and juicy raisins.
Mint relish to tang roast lamb lunches,
chutneys and aromatic jellies for cheese.
Elderberry tincture against colds and flu,
hawthorn for poor circulation.
Summer’s harvest, picked, pickled and potted.