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

[An owl on the moon]

Reading this felt like sunlight through a window. Nostalgia, nurture, and new beginnings all meet here, and it left me smiling at the simple, sacred cycles of family and growth.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Craig for your kind words. I am truly heartened by them and your visit.

Chris

[An owl on the moon]

Wishing you such a sweet weekend, Chris.

[Thomas W Case]

You bring this to vivid and sharp life—tremendous work.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Thomas. I appreciate you.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

Wonderful nostalgia beautifully written.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ken, I can’t tell you how delighted I am to see you on my page. I know you have been very ill, so it is especially pleasing to find you here today. I hope you are recovering well.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

The last lines of the first stanza and early lines of the second...such a great parallel
of plants to humans.
nicely done here.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly my friend. Plants and people need nurture. I love them both. Have a good week. read moreThank you kindly my friend. Plants and people need nurture. I love them both. Have a good week.

Chris

[Neville]

I'm betting anyone over the age of let's say fifty or so and who pass this way will be grateful for the memories these fine words evoke within them .. Okay, not everyone will be zapped back to carrot top days, or their own nans, but most surely of their own formative years and such special moments .. My own recollections include those of my Grandma (paternal) sewing cress and planting spuds which I think ignited within me a sense of wonder and love of nature .. As invariably always I leave this page with a smile on my face and a warm glow .. So dubble ta for that .. AGT's Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Neville. Pleased my bit of nostalgia generated some thoughts about your own. I also remember growing cress. Lovely to know you leave this page with a smile and a warm glow. Have a beautiful week.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Now here is a journey that I myself had taken. Good to share it in poem. Thanks, Chris!
Freds

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Freds. Pleased you are also familiar with the journey taken in my poem. Have a beautiful week.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Most welcome, Chris 🙏🕊️

[Lorry]

This reminded me of my own wee mammy who used to grow watercress on wet cotton wool or parsley and basil from a glass of water. I don't know the scientific reason behind it all, but I remember her doing it for her grand kids too, who done a school project about it and everyone was in agreement that they tasted far better than that supermarket mass produced muck!
I do remember thinking she was part witch, but apparently loads of people used to be able to do it, before we began living in an idiocracy, where people mistake parents for Alexa and aren't happy with 5G being so slow because it isn't immediate and now. (Try telling them up about dial up internet and watch their faces go straight into screensaver mode!)
And try telling them that shops used to close on Sundays and they will think you are lying, or ask "What! Even Amazon?"
Sometimes the old ways are best, and even when they aren't we can have a right good moan about it! 😃

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. I never know where your reviews will travel, but they always leave me smiling and uplifted. I thank you again for that.

Chris

[Lorry]

That makes two of us! 😃

[DIVYA]

Loved this poem, Chris!

The way you describe the sprouting and the transformation of those orange stumps into plants is wonderful and elicits much emotion. There's something so healing and wholesome about gardening. Something spiritual - a legacy got passed on to you and through you to your grandchild, completing the cycle. These are the true blessings of life.

Beautifully written, my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Your words warm me DIVYA. Thank you always for your encouragement and support. You are so appreciated.

Chris 🌹

[DIVYA]

Its such a joy! You're always welcome!
Keep sharing your beautiful poetry, dear Chris.

[Soren]

Lovely images and lines in this poem. A most wonderful and nostalgic write. I feels so warm and homey

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Soren for that kind review. Very much appreciated. All the best.

Chris

[Soren]

Most welcome Chris