Blackberrying Study Guide

The first stanza of "Blackberrying" begins by describing the setting as a deserted road near the sea. Only the speaker and the blackberries are present in the scene. The blackberries are on both sides of the road, but they are more concentrated on the right side. The speaker describes the rolling hills of blackberries. The blackberries are plump with their juices and they are as big as the author's thumb. The red juices are compared to blood. The red juices on the speaker's fingers can be compared to "blood sisters" who give their blood to each other out of love. The soft berries conform to the shape of the milk bottle she uses to collect them. (read more)