Prepare your second-best preserving jar in advance.

Pick when the morning is rich with pollen
and the bees are drunk-muscling in for early doors.
Select the juiciest leaves from the shadows.
Harvest quickly, with your sharpest bite -

pack tight, add wax, label. Store in a cold, dark place.
Use sparingly to brighten witchy winter nights.

 

Keep your best preserving jar

for hemlock, and all your grudges.
Consult a field guide to avoid another mistake.