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Seeds Make Me Happy

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Putting in the Seed
by Robert Frost

You come to fetch me from my work to-night
When supper's on the table, and we'll see
If I can leave off burying the white
Soft petals fallen from the apple tree
(Soft petals, yes, but not so barren quite,
Mingled with these, smooth bean and wrinkled pea);
And go along with you ere you lose sight
Of what you came for and become like me,
Slave to a Springtime passion for the earth.
How Love burns through the Putting in the Seed
On through the watching for that early birth
When, just as the soil tarnishes with weed,
The sturdy seedling with arched body comes
Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs.

February 9th, 2009 | Tags: , | Category: Poetry, Seeds | 11 comments

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Gathering Leaves…
by Robert Frost

Spades take up leaves
No better than spoons,
And bags full of leaves
Are light as balloons.

I make a great noise
Of rustling all day
Like rabbit and deer
Running away.
But the mountains I raise
Elude my embrace,
Flowing over my arms
And into my face.
I may load and unload
Again and again
Till I fill the whole shed,
And what have I then?
Next to nothing for weight,
And since they grew duller
From contact with earth,
Next to nothing for color.
Next to nothing for use.
But a crop is a crop,
And who’s to say where
The harvest shall stop?
November 27th, 2008 | Tags: | Category: Poetry | 5 comments

Dreams Deferred

220For my English Composition class, we wrote a 5 paragraph writing sample based on the following poem Harlem (1951) by Langston Hughes. I found the poem to be inspiring. I saw an opportunity to reflect on some of my accomplishments, and think about some of the dreams and desires that I have deferred.

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the Sun?
Or fester like a sore
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
like a syrupy sweet
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load
Or does it explode?

Throughout my life I have had a handful of dreams and goals which have been left unfulfilled. I suppose the outcome depends somewhat on where I am at in my life. Sometimes I feel as though I am in a position to tackle something head-on. Other times it seems easier to say, “well, maybe next year,” or “maybe this winter.” On occasion, I have also found myself wishing that I had something to tackle, but just couldn’t find something “tackle-worthy.” This can sometimes lead to discovering something new and exciting that was definitely worth the wait. After reading the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes, I found myself comparing many of the metaphors to my own dreams and goals, reflecting on those which have been fulfilled, and remembering those that haven’t.

One line in the poem questions if a dream deferred “sags like a heavy load, or does it explode?” This immediately made me think of my gardening. I have always had an interest in plants, but recently I have felt that it has really become a part of who I am. A short time ago I would visit a nursery and pick out a few things that caught my eye, then bring them home and feel unsure about where I should plant them, or what would look best next to it. I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of years pouring over gardening books, researching different plants, and looking through several designs. I feel as though I now have my own style, and my own plan. I can go outside and look at my garden and smile – there is order and rhythm. I like the way it looks, and I enjoy spending time in it. I feel as though my dream of being a good gardener is taking shape, exploding in a sense.

Maybe it’s time to revisit some of the things that I have put off for another day. There’s so many things I would like to try. If only I had some more time on my hands….

September 10th, 2008 | Category: Poetry | 2 comments