The Seed

Don’t wake me! said the seed

I’m snug and cosy here

dark richness of the earth

surrounds in layered tiers

The sun continued tickling

rays reaching down below

the bare and barren surface

convincing him to grow

It’s time for you to wake up,

the sun said with a laugh,

the earth is brown without you

it’s missing fresh green grass

Wriggling as the rays

tapped lightly on the seed

he slowly started stretching

ready to concede

Pointing at the sky

tender shoots declare

I’m really glad you woke me,

for Spring is in the air!

Secrets

Whenever my children find a creature outside, they want to know what it is.

So we look, we draw, we talk.

This poem was inspired by the discovery of an earthworm in the school garden.

(The picture above is a creature we discovered during another activity.)

There are secrets in the soil-

quiet whisperings of change

burrows dug down deep below

where raindrops can be drained.

Roomy earthy spaces

where air can flow right in

and plants can soak up nutrients

ready for the Spring.

S p r e a d i n g  out their roots

seeking anchorage in the ground,

the zone of elongation proud

as big new cells abound.

There are secrets in the soil-

tiny, delicate and thin-

lining all these brand new roots

drawing minerals quickly in.

Invisible to eyes

particles of nitrogen softly hide

in teensy little droppings

the worms have cast aside.

These tiny squirmy workers

know just what all plants need

and wriggle close beside them

ensuring they succeed.