~ICE*WINE~

THE  AIR IS CRISP WITH THE OVERNIGHT  FREEZE
CLUSTERS OF DEEP TO LIGHT  GREEN ORBS
 BENDING VINES DEEP TOWARDS THE  MUSKY EARTH
GENTLY WITH GREAT REVERENCE EACH CLUSTER
MUST BE HAND HARVESTED QUICKLY

THEY GATHERED ONCE PHONED AT THE WINERY
KNOWING A FEW HOURS IS ALL THEY HAVE TO HARVEST
THERE ARE OVER TWO HUNDRED MEN AND WOMEN
BUNDLED AGAINST THE COLD IN THERMAL CLOTHING
UNDER THICK WOOL PANTS AND SHIRTS. THEY
MUST BE UNENCUMBERED WHILE HARVESTING, THE
SKY OPENS AND BEAUTIFUL LIGHT  FLAKES BEGIN FALLING
THE NIGHT BECOMES LUMINESCENT NOW WITH THE MOON
STARS AND SNOW.
RIPPING OFF THE NETS THE GRAPES TEND TO FALL INTO
THE WICKER BASKETS  ONLY A FEW TO PICK

AS THE YELLOW SUN BEGINS ITS ASCENT THE GRAPES ARE
ALREADY BEING PRESSED
WE FINISH THE HUGE BREAKFAST IN THE  LODGE
AND WE ARE TREATED TO LAST YEARS BREW
THE SCENT  AND TASTE OF HONEY IN THIS SPARKLING GOLDEN
NECTAR IS TRULY THE NECTAR OF THE GODS.

*** I APOLOGIZE FOR GOING OVER THE WORD LIMIT..IF YOU KNOW ME
I AM QUITE HARD TO SHUT UP.  I COULD HAVE GONE ON TO TELL YOU THAT
ICE WINE IS VERY EXPENSIVE DUE TO ONE BOTTLE PRODUCED FROM EACH VINE
IT HAS A SWEET BUT ACIDIC TASTE THAT MAKES IT PERFECT AS A DESSERT WINE.
OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH IN CANADA’S NIAGARA AREA IS A LARGE PRODUCER OF THIS WINE.
I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS WINE TWICE IN MY LIFE, I  HAVE IT ON MY BUCKET LIST
FOR AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME.