sweet toast and jam

in brightly

colored

jars, small spreads

of jams

line

the upper shelf

of the store,

preserves

away

from pedestrian fare.

blueberry

and blackberry,

strawberry and marmalade.

apricot too.

the yellow pouring

through.

these

are the luxury

fruits of an upper 

tier.

highly priced,

but well worth the dollar

more spent.

i imagine

the winter mornings

with tea,

and me alone,

in slippers and cotton robe,

broad knife

in hand,

buttering toast,

and these sweet jams.

the cold

paper off the porch,

spread out,

before me.