Paleolithic Era

I would guess it was a woman
who first discovered berries
growing wild outside their cave;
bunches of plump blueberries,
and red raspberries harvested
from prickly vines.

I would say it was that same woman,
an innovator born eons before her time
who crushed berries into a red compote
to pour over roasted glyptodon, a blue glaze
on spitted wooly mammoth, a semisweet
dressing poured over ferns and green leaves.

I can see her with her favorite stone,
the one that fit perfect in her palm
and the berries in wooden bowls
she carved herself, crushing them
with smooth, practiced movements,
keeping them divided.

And then hubby comes along,
sweaty from a hunt, looking for a bowl;
when her back is turned, he dumps
red berries into blueberries; she rails
at him to go dig up some roots and
legumes, just go away.

Exasperated, she’s tempted to dump
the mixture but stirs it, considers
the vibrant color, tastes it, smiles,
rugged hands on sturdy hips and viola!
Meet the Paleolithic Julia Child,
patent pending creating edible purple.

~ J R Turek    Hour 6