A Tribute

Here's to a thing that grows: a seed hidden away in its earthy privacy.

This is the thing about seeds: just when no one is looking, because we've probably given up waiting–and this is the bit that never fails to bowl me over–it spikes itself up out of the soil and points to the light, and it keeps on pointing and spiking and moving up and out, and then insists on establishing its roots so as to make sprigs and buds and fruit of its own, just keeps going and going. And it's only then that you get to see what it's shape is, shade and thickness of leaf, its resilience in the wind, fragrance as you run your fingers up the leaves, and just how hairy those leaves are!



Seeds are sown for us humans all the time - soulful seeds of ideas, feelings, instincts and connections. How is it so difficult to remember the quiet time a seed needs to do its work in private, and not prod and interfere? Leave that polythene cover over the rich soil and trust...


If we are to achieve anything revolutionary in this life then it initially takes three things: wisdom to realise when a seed has been sown, patience to leave it alone and faith that there is growth happening in a place you can't–and shouldn't–reach. Trusting there is positive progress in something that can't be seen simply has to be an act of faith, and trying to obtain physical proof of this growth will destroy the seed.

Of course, once it's out in the open then love it to the heavens.

(And with today's eye on plants here's a wee homage to Elliot Erwitt, a photographer I met while at Magnum Photos. Fair to say that without Magnum I wouldn't be here, but boy, were there some real juicy seeds growing back there...)




{Today's Soundtrack: the only way is up...

Not really, it's Freelance Hellraiser - Want You To Know}

Want you to know you made me happy
Want you to know you made me sad
Want you to know you made me happy
You are the best thing that I ever had

PS. Apologies for the poor technical quality of these images - they were taken on my phone.