Poem by Mary Ellen Warren

Blueberries on my porridge 10 times removed

Carefully I spoon frozen blueberries from the self-sealing pouch,
Purchased from New World frozen food section,
Stocked by part-time underaged and retired night staff,
Offloaded from the Gilmore’s frozen food behemoth in the middle of the
night,
Coming from a central depot, previously shipped from the Hastings
factory,
On to my porridge.

Thanks sorters and the pickers from far and near Flaxmere, paid for
performance,
Not to forget the bankers, advertisers, and human resources,
presumable well reimbursed.
The blueberry plants imported from North America,
Where I found them in ‘57 growing wild on “Blueberry Hill” Sudbury
Canada.
Food for thought, now to add a sprinkle of Chia seeds.

First published in 30 Years of the Hawke’s Bay Live Poets’ Society, Seasons’s Voices, 2022

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BIO: The Canadian Shield is their Maunga, the Niagara is their awa. US poet Billy Collins is an ancestor-in-law. Aotearoa New Zealand is their home.