Winterberries

I brought in a sprig of Winterberry today,

so bright and crimson it was

against a black velvet pillow.

so beautiful is its shadow.

A small window of time, after the first snow, before they are taken for food I  bring in winterberry from my shrub behind the house. A male and female plant, they are interdependent on each other to bear fruit. 

Tiny beads of crimson joy.

Beauty is not caused. It is.      Emily Dickinson