by Richard Ekeng Ita
Lying deserted inside the quiet ground
Relying solely on the climate found
Plying its trade without cause to worry
Doing this slow and steady without thoughts to hurry.
With no hope for water, the rain comes
With no hope for light, the sun shines
With no hope for food, the soil provides
and in the midst of weeds, it still survives
In moments of dessication, it becomes encysted
Just to make its growth consistent.
Some emerge after the struggle with seeds, some remain seedless
Some emerge after the struggle with cysts, to go about its business.
From the radicle, comes the roots, which grows downwardly, for the purpose of anchorage to the ground
From the plumule, comes the shoots, which grows upwardly, for the purpose of bringing forth crowns.
A seed it was then, a big plant it is now.
Go to the plants today all who are hopeless, learn their lessons and be wise!
Richard Ekeng Ita, PhD, is a plant ecologist from Nigeria. He lectures at Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Nigeria. Richard's research interests are Quantitative Ecology, Wetland Ecology, Forest Ecology, Biodiversity and conservation, Pollution ecology, and Climate change.
Image header by Julia Ferguson, read more about her artwork (and seeds!) in Seed Love and Science Art.