The Jam-Maker
Lisa Collyer
thieved plums outlast the season a copper pot conducts late summer pectin binds sour lemons purple plum drupe−sugar-like all things nice pitted plums at the back of knees, the wooden spoon skims scum cut fruit jammy It’s peak season for nuptials saccharin-tart resist overripe fruit syrup sticky fingers prise burst skins the flyscreen slaps the hand-me-down frock elopes a glory box of burnt plums
The story behind the piece:
My mother told me the story of her auntie who as eldest daughter was responsible for making the jam, from plums taken from street fruit trees. One day, her aunt had had enough of doing all the housework for the very large family and left the jam burning on the stove to elope with her beau. They never forgave her for burning the jam.
Image: Carducius Plantagenet Ream - Purple Plums, Art Institute of Chicago (Public Domain)