The Saffron Gatherer
after Minoan fresco
Akrotiri, Greece
Before dawn
before heat of island sun
shadow figures descend in dark
to fields along rocky paths
to crocuses carrying baskets
mothers and daughters set.
One plucks a purple blossom,
fingers slide in, grasp threads,
lift the trinity of stigmas—
trumpets of crimson
precursors to rising sun—
again and again
flower to flower
flames kiss her nails blood red
as poised in the moment,
she holds red gold.
The image of the fresco is in the public domain:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saffron_gatherers_detail_Thera_Santorini.png
