Putting in the Seed

 Putting in the Seed

by Robert Frost (1874 –1963)

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.

This poem is in the public domain.

 

This wonderful selection of seeds was in the greenhouse at Helmsley Walled Garden. I'm guessing some of them might be planted by the gardeners, but maybe most will just blow away on the breeze.

 

The ground is warming up, so it's that time of year when seeds need to be put into the ground. Maybe like the poet Robert Frost you are 'slave to a springtime passion for the earth.' If so, click here for advice from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) on how to sow hardy annuals like poppies, cornflowers and night-scented stocks.

 

Writing prompts:

• The poet finds it hard to drag himself away from the business of planting seeds in spring - even when his supper is waiting for him on the table. Write about a time when you have been so engrossed in an activity that you could not drag yourself away.
• 'Love burns' for the poet when he is putting in the seed. Write about an activity you have undertaken when love burned for you. 
• The last few lines speak of the 'sturdy seedling' shouldering its way through the soil despite the accompanying weeds. Write about a time when, against all the odds, you have pushed through and survived.