Soil

When we are deprived of the feel and touch of soil we become diminished - it's as if our nature draws nourishment and meaning from what it holds - our history, our beginnings. Children know it and plunge fingers into earth, sometimes lifting it to their mouths out of an instinctive need to take in the mystery. Parents are horrified and rush to stop the tasting. Soil becomes dirt. When we lose contact with soil, a sacred connection to the world is lost. Our upward gaze to the heavens or the inward focus on ourselves can blind us to what is below, the medium out of which life and our very souls grow.

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Di11y Da11y

Date: 3/17/2025 12:20:00 AM

No dirt eating from me but I spent a lot of time making mud pies :) I had a grow your own phase and raking the ground you've prepared (ooh I remember it's tilling! I used to read the books or maybe my Grandad told me that one) used to feel great. I'm regularly returning worms I find on pavements on the school run to the best soil - not quite getting my hands in, but looking and admiring a good bit of earth and it's power to save :)

Paul Willason
Date: 3/17/2025 6:05:00 AM

Childhood often has memories that have a connection to soil...gardening, making mud pies, getting covered in dirt, digging holes etc etc. The poem maybe is also pushing the idea of connecting to our real origins, our authentic self. Thankyou DD for sharing a little of your experiences...I find it interesting how poems trigger such recollections. Good vibes..

Benjamin Bartley

Date: 3/16/2025 6:50:00 PM

I love eating dirt to this day. Keeps ya healthy and young. I love this. Great write. Thanks for sharing!

Paul Willason
Date: 3/17/2025 5:53:00 AM

Good to hear from you Benjamin...thankyou for reading the poem and your kind words. Freshly picked vegetables with a little residual dirt...nothing better ! Cheers, Paul

Lin Lane

Date: 3/16/2025 2:58:00 PM

I sure know what you mean, Paul. I grew up on a farm and spent more time in the fields with my Dad then doing house chores with my Mom. I really miss digging in the dirt. Apartment living has kept my hands clean but missing the feel of a trowel. ps... I had a special spot for eating dirt when I was a child.

Paul Willason
Date: 3/17/2025 5:48:00 AM

There you go...soil has obviously nurtured and fed that lovely soul of yours...the childhood diet worked. So good to get such feedback ...sharing your experiences, adds to pleasure of writing...thankyou Lin.