Now the soil is carved to make way for hands that handled seeds with care all their earthly days. Now you are the seed— Once you made space for what looked like death. For dried soy beans & shriveled corn— dusty field peas & string beans turnips, collards & more. (even tobacco seeds—for better or worse) Now you are the seed— Once, you sowed faith small as grains of mustard in three small children’s hearts‚ and by grace like rain they grew. Once, you held grands & great-grands in your weathered hands— and by grace like rain, we will grow to sow faith like you. Now you are the seed— Now, I need the faith of a farmer like you to nestle you gently in borrowed earth like Paw-Paw’s sweet potatoes so carefully arranged— to plant the seed of you beside the one for whom you tended gardens & roses & feeders full of hope like birdseed. Now, I need the faith of a farmer like you to disbelieve what my eyes have seen & believe instead in fields of glorious green & songs of eternal spring—the land from which no sparrow falls. Now you are the seed in the hands of a Farmer even older & wiser than you— and he knows the time to plant and he knows the harvest is coming. Now you are the seed we sow in tears— but we will reap with shouts of joy.
It’s been two years this past Sunday since my Grandaddy went to be with Jesus. I was privileged to get to write, and then read this poem at his funeral. Two years later, every word still rings true. I still need the faith of a farmer to disbelieve what my eyes have seen, and believe instead in the world that is just beyond the veil—the new Kingdom where life is full and beautiful and eternal—where no sparrow falls.
And I still believe it’s coming. So if you need the reminder today, to make space for all that looks like death, and yet still keeping hoping for the life that is beyond this—I hope this poem meets you today. Plus I’m trying out this cool new feature where I record the audio of the poem—though full disclosure I did this with a baby on my lap so there may or may not be cute and unintentional background noises.
Today I am remembering that every crown of flowers starts with dirt, and a handful of shriveled up seeds. There is beauty, even here.
Warmly,
Grace Kelley
Such beautiful words - thank you for sharing this poem!
Okay this is soo beautiful!!
Also, weve been doing 2 timothy in our small group, and he talks so much about persevering in suffering and pain, in the beginning he talks about persevering like a farmer, a soldier, and an athlete. And then at the end, he says he brings up those metaphors again. " i have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
I thought it was beautiful that "keeping the faith" is what farmers do in this verse. And the crown of righteousness just reminds me of the crown of flowers. Anyway, love your imagery of faith and hope in your poem! Being so connected to the earth suuuucks soemtimes, feels lkme an emotional roller coaster of things we cant control (rain!! Wait, why are there bugs?? Frost?? Why is it so sunny!) But thats real life, right?