seed story

foxgloves cropped small

I found a packet of seeds, forgotten under a pile
of unwanted post. Initial disappointment displaced
by curiosity, I checked the sow-before date and
could hardly believe my good fortune. I know I purchased
too early, had such trouble restraining the urge to
get started months ago, but there is still time
and two years before they might no longer be viable.
Tomorrow I shall clear a fine tilth bed for them. I can
hardly resist the urge to creep out in the dark to
prepare; one packet contains one thousand seeds;
imagine the miracle concealed. More impressive
than prayer on a pinhead, a starter pack and all the
information needed to inform the production of
a glory of digitalis purpurea alba,
all this times one thousand, in a tiny silver packet.