We scatter in different directions, combing the forest floor. One woman finds a patch of Lady’s Thumb, while another discovers abundant Stinging Nettle. A friend of mine teaches me about Purslane by shoving a fat stem into my mouth. It is rich and tangy, full of good meat. Meanwhile, a few men gather to chat around a tower of Lamb’s Quarter. We feel the tiny hairs on the plants as we harvest them, the cool of the leaves even in the glow of the sun.
Wild Edibles
The Invitation
My soul craves wildness.
Black caps from the thicket behind my cabin open themselves into my mouth. They flood the flavor of love and the smell of bark. Continue reading