Sowing Seeds

(an early attraction to gardening)

don't dig in the dirt

but she did and with a stick

or a stainless steel spoon or

anything else for that matter

she could find

which would allow her to scoop

or tunnel where often or not

slithering blind earth worms

appeared on the surface as if

by magic

wriggling writhing

greyish pink in colour

in ones twos or threes entwined

in their acrobatic paradise

exposed to daylight

working the soil

adding nutrients incorporating air

to provide foundations required for

new plant life to flourish

and grow

so that a single pink hollyhock

a splash of bright in a dismal 

garden would find itself in company 

of marigolds golden and warm

smiling in summer 

Reviews

[Neville]

brought back so very many of my own treasured memories of digging in the muck n popping seeds into the holes made by my grandfather & my fathers very own thumbs when I was a kid .. I just wish I had done more of the same thing with my own, when they were growing up .. and I do so still love a pink hollyhock :)

[Chris Shaw]

I am delighted that Jahkai my two year old grandson asks his Nan for the watering can so he can give the flowers a drink. So pleased this brought some precious moments back to you with your own father and grandfather. Thank you Neville.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a lovely scene you created here, Chris. I can picture a little girl digging in the garden and being mesmerized by an earthworm's wriggling. Oh yes, surely the worms will enjoy the marigolds as much as I enjoyed this write! Sweet innocence. Good one. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi** for that lovely review. Yes, those are my first memories of my love of gardening. A fascination with earth worms. I hope you are keeping well and happy.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love the final verse. It was really warm with beauty and the contrast of the "dismal garden" make it all the more lovely. It touched me on a personal note as well. I grew up in poverty and raising much of our own food through gardening was a necessity of survival. My mother planted flowers in beds around our house and one contained a purple hollyhock. The one in back of our house had a pink peony bush that had a sickening sweet smell but the bees and ants loved it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, I enjoyed.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian for your share. Pleased you could relate, especially the hollyhock bit :) That made me smile. Happy to stir your memories. Appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

Chris, I really love that first stanza, especially the opening two lines

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you WBM. Pleased you called and for your supportive review. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

Since my Norma has passed, the garden has fallen to me .. at first i didn't think i would plant it but ... i felt it honored her memory to do so. .. the flower garden was no option ... it has to be tended and, Chris, i am loving it .. adding to it here and there .. forming a little plan of my own as to what and where .. we tried to get clematis growing in SD without success and then again here in the Ozarks .. we finally had one take hold and make it through a season and into the next. ... this year is has exploded with new growth, searching, young tender shoots and blossoms ...funny how blessed in spirit such a thing can be ... enjoyed your down to earth poem .. :)
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Your Norma would be thrilled and proud that you have taken over garden duties. I am so happy that you are finding it rewarding and you are loving it and making your own plans too. My garden is a haven for me. I love being able to spend time close to nature. Fabulous that you have had success with clematis. I have one in my back garden, it is purple and in full abundant bloom. Thank you for stopping by Mr E, always a delight to get a visit from you. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

luv ya darlin' ... much appreciation for you!

[Coyote Poetry]

My wife was the gardening. She retired from the job. Now I work the garden. My garden is doing well. The tulips are standing tall already. I enjoyed the story in the poetry dear Chris. In my old age. I am becoming like my grandfather. Thank you dear Chris for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Coyote, pleased that you are enjoying your garden and that your tulips are thriving. Never too late to start. Your grandfather would be delighted and proud that you are walking in his shoes. Many thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome, dear Chris.

[Lisasview]

Ahhh, the love of a garden dearest Chris... gardening being (most probably) one of my most favourite things to do...I have a huge garden with about 400 succulents and 200 bulbs...so gosh the colors.. and everyday something new appears..here we never see earth worms..which is so sad but still the plants thrive..
I think I will take a photo and put it in my photo gallery for you to see...
Oh yes, and i remember my mother often using a spoon...she had a lovely garden...
Loved your poem early this morning,
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lisa. I wasn't going to post this one, but my muse wouldn't let it go. Lovely to hear about your garden. I spend quite a bit of time in mine. Very happy to be pottering about, I find it so relaxing. Yes my love of gardening started very early on. I always had my own little patch within a larger garden. My Dad had no interest in gardening, neither did my mum, she was far to busy with her five children. Our neighbour Tom offered me much encouragement. That helped. All best wishes to you. We have sunshine today.

Chris

[Lisasview]

We just got bak from a lovely long walk..Sun shining..
off to practice piano.
Lisa

[Barbara Meistrell]

Who knew digging in the garden could be so colorful and interesting...reminds me of children digging in the garden...great visual...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you barbie. Yes, my love of gardening started very early on. I certainly didn't inherit it, from either parent:)My Dad hated gardening. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

what a blessing the common wiggly squishy worm is
Whenever I dig I am always pleased to find worms

[Chris Shaw]

Friends to the gardner they are Dave. Thanks forcstopping by.

Chris

[duff]

In life we have a hand in the color of a garden. Put in the work and watch. Nice job.

[Chris Shaw]

I grow my own happiness duff. I love being in the garden pottering about. Find it so relaxing. The effort is worth it. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[duff]

I agree with that. Therapeutic and you're welcome Chris.

[Andrew John]

Lovely one. Long time since I did any gardening - I live in a prison now, or call it a block of apartments! - but do recall those worms, and just as you've described them. Nice one, C.

[Chris Shaw]

Would find it so difficult to live in an apartment. It is a joy to leave my kitchen door open in the warm weather, so I can potter about at my heart's content. Yes, the worms. I have vivid recollections of them in the garden as a child. Fascinated me they did. Thanks for stopping by Andrew John.

Chris