18 Comments

Also if you want to lose yourself in the story of how plants and trees have their own lives and fights, you should definitely check out The Green Planet narrated by David Attenborough. Here's a sample clip:

https://youtu.be/SM-Ilh2lHZk

Expand full comment

Wow, that is amazing. How powerful plants can be. And brutal. Thanks for sharing, that, Punit. Will see if I can find the whole thing.

Expand full comment

Arjan!! Thanks for the shoutout. I miss Vondelpark a lot 😀

Expand full comment

It's a nice place, indeed. Anyway, of course. Your poems are really always a joy to read. Will have a look at that sample clip, now!

Expand full comment

Lovely collection here, thank you! The seeds remind me of a really old song/story we'd listen to growing up in the 90s in my family's car on the way to school about kindergarteners planting seeds in a little cup. Anyone know what that was called or by who? Anyway, what delightful thoughts to hold this time of year! :)

Expand full comment

Wild guess, but are you thinking of "Planting Seeds of Love?" Only other song that comes to mind is John Denver's "Garden Song," with the lines "Inch by inch, row by row."

Expand full comment

Oh I had forgot about this John Denver song! Neither of these are quite it but they are lovely... thank you! I am especially enjoying the John Denver performance of the Garden Song on the Muppets right now hehe...

Expand full comment

You've got my curiosity piqued here! I'm going to have to dig a little (no pun intended).

Expand full comment

Hehehehe a good pun no less! Good luck and I hope you find it I'll be thinking on what to seek for myself. It was really good!

Expand full comment

Thank you for reading and leaving your lovely comment. I wish I knew that song, but I grew up in The Netherlands... Maybe someone else in the audience knows it. But, the idea is great. It's so much fun for children to actively do that. I'm very happy that the schools our children go to and went to in the past all paid attention to this. Now, what would that song be....

Expand full comment

Great playlist! Having fun trying to guess each movie.

In our garden most things have already grown, but a few are still coming in. Mostly peppers and a basil...

Expand full comment

By the way, do you know the song Julia refers to in a different comment. Something about kindergarteners planting seeds in cups?

Expand full comment

It's going to be difficult, because some songs play parts in tv-series. Like the Yo-Yo Ma and Barry White songs. And it's, like always, an eclectic mix.

Anyway, thanks for the compliment. Coming from you, I take that as something to celebrate!

Peppers. Yes, they are on the list for next year. Beautiful chilis. And basil is a big favorite in our house.

Expand full comment

Very nice!😍 I also love planting and gardening, and the flowering and harvesting are my favourite phases.

Your poem is very beautiful, Arjan!

Thanks for sharing the picture of your avocado, lines and podcast... I love first to read poems by my own rhythm and intonation, and then, I am curious to listen to how authors read their lines, just to compare how we differ in the interpretation and mood.

Expand full comment

Yes, the planting and gardening seem to fit with you. The harvest is indeed a great moment, but my avocados keep me waiting. I think I need to give them more space.

Thanks for your thoughts on the poem. I like the idea of comparing the reading. I am convinced each reading gives an extra dimension, so that is indeed a good way of finding these extra dimensions.

Expand full comment

You nailed it, Arjan! It's exactly as you say... extra dimensions :)

Expand full comment

That's awesome Arjan - I am inspired!

Expand full comment

Thanks Kylie, I'll send some avocado stones your way :).

Expand full comment