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Open Poetry #38
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garden worm
| Open Poetry #38 |
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garden worm |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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garden worm I hurt him – children say they grow back again, but they don’t it’s only a worm-half lashing on my shovel he it she they’re all three I hurt her, hurt it shame and a wish: they can't hurt me and I need them more than they need me |
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| © Copyright 2006 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
For someone here, for anyone here, who needs to understand. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> ______________Ratleader______________ |
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Edward Grim Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154Greenville, South Carolina |
I'm always bad at analyzing poetry but here it goes. The fifth stanza: shame and a wish: they can't hurt me and really drives it home for me. I'm thinking it's somewhat of a "boy accidentally hits a girl and offers her a free shot to make himself feel better" type of scenario. I'm probably wrong but that's how I took it. And the "I need them more than they need me," threw me off just a little. That line, to me, either corresponds with my previous theory or simply that your garden needs worms to flourish; I'm not certain yet. I really like this. The type of remorse in your tone while still retaining a "matter-of-fact" standing is great. Twas a pleasure. Cheers - Ed I'm not smart, I'm just a tricky dumb person. |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Oh yes, the gardener needs worms....they do more actual work than he does, just by being what they are. Without 'em, the soil pretty much goes sterile....but without the gardener's interference and occasional chopping-in-half with his shovel, they do just fine, so he definitely needs a worm more than the worm needs him. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> ______________Ratleader______________ |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed...Thinking of worms always takes me to fishing....especially when you have to make pieces out of one big worm because the big one is too much for those little mouth trout. I know this isn't your meaning though...Sometimes it's just hard to find perfect peace, even within a garden.  |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
....especially when ya keep skronching those helpless little worms..... ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Ratleader Believe me they get the last say. LOL |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Heh-heh-heh.....help us achieve that "oneness with nature".....yep! ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Got lots of worm experience here; used to dig them for my grandpa for a penny a big one! Oh, this does bring back memories... Shall I tell you I dug under the rocks and logs near the barnyard? 'Twas a dirty job, but somebody had to do it! Nope, I feel this on a much deeper basis. I believe we all are one with the universe and everyone/everything affects another in some dstant way. This is quality writing, Ed, and another piece for my collection. Your analogies have always intrigued me and make me aspire to become a better writer. Thank you. Take care, misC [This message has been edited by miscellanea (06-02-2006 07:32 PM).] |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
Ed I got the feeling the garden worm was you, being torn in half by the two children, he and she...not knowing which side to take, who to repromand, and who to excuse? I also feel from this, these children are yours, or very close to you, and, could even be the anima and animus of you, but as children go, they are very independent, you needing them more then they need you, and how the connection is so overwhelmingly great, the three parts of you...them, it...life....we are all part of that endearing connection....related Also, find it quit intellectual of you to entitle the poem garden worm...garden meaning, something your tending... Probably read to deeply but that is what I felt from this beautiful write of yours. thank you |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
RatMan~ "I need them more than they need me" Oh, believe me, I understand it only too, too well~ I'm not the 'shovel', ... just one of the worms~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I think that tale of how they grow back has saved many a tear... for to play in fertile soil is to eventually be the instrument of turning one whole into two parts. With a write that gives respect even to the lowly earthworm, you remind us that even unintentional hurts are often permanent and upset the balance that should be. All of this... but especially your ending lines... touches me deeply. Superb write! |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Ed, for me this poem is about a darling little earthworm - no more and no less - a wonderful, but very sad poem from a kind, sensitive, caring person. Thank you so very much for caring for the he/she earthworm (they are - what's the biological term for having both sexes in one animal? I have forgotten) and I know you would never have cut the worm in half on purpose - it was a pure accident, but as you imply, that doesn't help the earthworm. I feel his/her pain and I feel yours. I am so sorry it happened. However, I believe that he/she is in Heaven with all God's other wonderful creatures and from there is looking down on you with love and understanding how sorry you are. - Owl |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia |
Isn't it amazing? All the lifeforms that perished beneath your feet on the way to and from the garden... All the microbes that "died" or "suffered" beneath the shovel. The grass, the weeds, that are also "life" that were just cast aside. Without a gasp. Without mourning. Then...mind clings to an object. "Ego" that thinks it is "seperate" begins to suffer. But the suffering is only due to false thoughts of seperation. That which IS ALL... Your true essence...is unaffected by any of it. It is ONE with ALL things because it IS all things. And no-"thing". But "ego" that thinks it is seperate... now clings to thoughts of "attaining" Oneness. Which IS already. And has always been. So the thoughts of "attaining" create more thoughts of"seperation".... and further "suffering" LOL Man! I love this "Life". |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
You mean they don't grow back? I told my kids they do. I love the worm poem and it's true: "I need them more than they need me" |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
How deep this poem was to go, (I love LeeJ's interpretation), I do not know nor try to understand. Just loved the poem. Because I love worms! I am always thrilled when I see them. When I started gardening in this Florida yard. I thought it unbelievable that there were no worms. With great amounts of vegetable and fruit peelings, coffee grounds, and rinds and whatever I could find. The cafeteria at work was a blessing for a while. Hair from the beauty parlor, sea weed from the shore. Pretty soon my garden began to soar. We need to tend to these hard working creatures and see that they are also fed. I often wished a worm box to improve what nature sends. Your poem is wonderful for all the directions it takes. marty |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
I have read this and the fact that both are part of the daily puzzle.. And the puzzle cannot be solved without two sides working together. |
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