We gathered berries on an autumn day

from trees that grew beside the road.

The ripe ones were behind thorns.

Why is that, you said.

The day was so calm and beautiful,

the berries were like black bells

from which no sound rose.

I looked for my hands, they were entirely red,

as if there was blood on them, bright red blood.

The evening was so calm that I could hear your thoughts

as you walked so carefully among the thorns

with your red boots, with your legs so tall and white.