Old Habits

through the generations

whenever i visited my maternal nan
in primary school holidays
watch for the mad rush to the scullery
to see how the carrot tops
were progressing
in situ
in their white china saucer
chipped at the edges
yet quite at home
in their watery surroundings
i was fascinated with the growth
of feathery green sproutings
transforming ugly orange stumps
into proper plants

from small beginnings
grew my love of gardening
till now a nan myself
i too place the odd carrot top
into a water filled saucer
on my kitchen window cill
to catch the sunlight
together with Jahkai’s keen eye
and his even keener little watering can
which can’t wait to find the garden
to douse the thirsty flowering
with the sunshine of his
enthusiasm

Reviews

[Andrew John]

Maternal or paternal nans can have this effect. OK, any years ago that I had a nan, but this poem raises some memories. Thanks, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew, especially, if I raised your own memories.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

what a fond memory played forward ... wonderfully blessed in reading .. me ol' heart is smilin' :) i had forgotten all about those carrot tops in the saucers and sharing responsibilities for the watering and especially the excitement ... checking to see how it was doing .. good stuff .. thanks so much for posting Chris!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Mr E. Delighted you enjoyed this memory of my Nan. How I loved those carrot tops:))

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

:) .............. so exciting to watch grow ... and no green thumb requires.

[LH Weiss]

This was a very comforting read. The way that the size of both groups of lines matches really solidifies the idea of how little some things change. This poem really feels like home. I loved it a lot.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. I appreciate very much your warm words of encouragement. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[qqquagmierz]

This is so cozy. I love the imagery, it’s so vivid! The 2nd stanza made me emotional, it reminded me a lot of my mother who loves gardening too. I wonder if something like this also played inside her mind? Wonderful, just wonderful!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for stopping by to share your thoughts. Thrilled that my words made you think about your mother who also loved gardening. I am so encouraged by your kind words. All the best.

Chris

[Michael Sun Bear]

Ahhh Chris, just lovely, just lovely. You have such talent for imagery, making the reader look at the most ordinary things with new eyes. Really nice finish to the poem too.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Michael. Your review is so thoughtful and warming. I appreciate you.

Chris

[RomaJ]

I love how this poem turns such a small, everyday moment into a vivid memory that spans generations. The way you capture curiosity, care, and the joy of growing things makes me want to place a carrot top in water right now!

[Chris Shaw]

Such a sweet thought RomaJ. Go on try it lol. Thank you so much for your warm words. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Chris

[petec3638]

Lucky you having a garden, we lived in the cobbled streets built in the 1800's to house the factory workers - I did pass houses with gardens on on a prewar housing estate, but they had no flowers, only abandoned toys and balls from the previous nights games.
I have never heard about cutting the tops off carrots and growing them.
We did something similar.
We lined an empty jam jar with blotting paper, then inserted raw peas in between the jar and blotting paper. and add water to dampen the paper.
Watch as a shoot appeared. then the roots followed by the upper shoot to carry the flowers.
Sadly they never grew to flowering, but we did have new knowledge of plant life

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your review Peter. Interesting to hear about your raw peas and blotting paper. I appreciate your time. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[petec3638]

We were moved out into a brand new house with a garden
We grew vegetables in the side garden and flowers in the front
Oh and a shed to keep my bike in

[Weeping willow]

Life just flows through your words. I have missed them Chris. Like a ray of sunlight runs my shadows as I connect to your words ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Willow, your kind words are a comfort blanket. Thank you so much my friend.

Chris

[red93]

This is where you excel Chris, in domestic detail - the stuff of life itself that a lesser Writer might ignore or forget. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony for your encouragement, especially when I have doubts about my current efforts.
read moreThank you Tony for your encouragement, especially when I have doubts about my current efforts.

Chris

[red93]

Just as good as ever IMO dear Chris ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[John Sullivan]

There's nothing I can add that won't have been said better by other reviewers. A lovely and warm slice of life, and one that was good to read today. Cheers, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John. So good to find a visit from you. All the best.

Chris

[John Sullivan]

Back at ya, Ms. Shaw.