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Featured Poem: Plant

NLAPWby NLAPW

Lorraine Walker Williams
Southwest Florida Branch

 

To place, slip seeds into moist soil,
shutter from light, incubate and wait.
To plant is the first lesson in patience.

 

Plant, as a particular phylum and
species, ornamental, cleansing air,
bringing outdoors in. For Feng Shui,
a plant is a lesson in placement.

 

Plant, as in yourself on the couch,
a park bench, or a bumpy bus.
An attempt to be rooted in time and
space, a lesson in belonging.

 

Plant, an implant, something foreign,
a replacement or enhancement,
as in tooth or breast. This teaches
impermanence.

 

Plant includes the word plan—
Making and revising,
following or ignoring a plan,
a lesson in flexibility.

 

Plant words flowing and growing
from the hand of a poet,
the lesson of jasmine and plums.

 

11 comments

  2. Dorothy Kamm says:

    I love the way you consider all the different meanings of the word “plant.” The poem makes one pause and consider. Wonderfully written!

  5. Brenda Layman says:

    Lorraine,

    I enjoyed reading this very thoughtful poem, especially the lovely final line. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Janet Fagal says:

    Lorraine,
    I truly love what you have done with your poem and all the lessons from the word “plant”. I especially like your ending as you come to the poet and the planting of words, linking it to jasmine and plums. I will want to keep this poem close to read again. It is a beauty. It has brightened my day and sparked ideas. Thank you.

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