Tomato Plants

Gold cherry

By the unfolding head

Tue, 31 Jul 2012
  • 2209 reads
20 comments
 

I reach out
rub a leaf between my forefinger
and thumb

what a smell they give
these tomato plants

It’s two in the afternoon
I’m in boxers on the balcony
the sunshine
is fresh out of the packet
extreme light
coats everything in view

I feel so very far away
from the garden where I grew up
and yet that scent
knocks me out

a transportation system for the soul

in an instant
I’m holding the watering can
with my dad

I could be five or six
or seven
and I’m in the presence of something ordinary
something fantastic...

his tomato plants

Stood before them
caring, cooing
cajoling tiny red droplets
each one
packed full of bursting flavour
seeds stuck on the tongue
a fleshy red skin
that could encapsulate
a whole summer

my summer
and all the summers of my youth

those school holidays that stretched
and ran
as far
as the impossible blue sky
the light
creeping through the curtains
sidestepping sleep
covers pushed back
in the crawling, cramping
heat

the excitement in the morning
the quiet in the afternoon
the swallows
crying over the back lane before bed
and
helping dad
water the garden

I reach out and touch another leaf
close my eyes
soak it up

they hurt when I finally open them

fuzz fades
then becomes healthy green vines
I search
looking out for tiny yellow flowers
drooping
with the weight
of a new green baby

I feel so very far away
from being that boy
and yet
with one breath
a simple swift inhalation
I am that boy again

sure,
it’s brief

but no less vivid

Certificate U
Poem
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Luly Whisper on
I can just picture it. I like growing tomatoes and eating them straight from the bush. And yes, such a distinctive scent.

Submitted by the unfolding head on
certainly is LW. I always thought that they tasted different too, when picked straight from the bush. This is my first attempt at growing my own tomatoes and I'm really enjoying it - my girlfriend has named the plant 'Golden Boy' :D

ddf

Submitted by jolono on
Great poem TUH, strange how a smell can conjure up images of times gone by. Great read.

 

Submitted by the unfolding head on
thanks jolono. It's crazy isn't it, how a smell can instantly transport you. I find it's one of the most beautiful experiences - almost as if your mind just needs a little nudge to be able to bring back the smallest details of a place or person, that maybe had seemed long gone, never to return. Just realised talking about this, that about a year ago I wrote a similar poem when my boss walked into work wearing the exact same perfume that my school sweetheart used to wear - (titled 'Clinique Happy Revised' I think). Thanks for reading.

ddf

Submitted by Rhiannonw on
I liked "those school holidays that stretched and ran as far as the impossible blue sky" and "the excitement in the morning the quiet in the afternoon the swallows crying over the back lane before bed" – evocative of the memories of youth's summers. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by the unfolding head on
thanks Rhiannon, kind of you to pick out those lines. It was a really uplifting feeling writing out this poem, trying to capture as best as possible what those summers were all about. It's always great to recieve positive feedback, appreciate it.

ddf

Submitted by Ed Crane on
I love the smell of tomato plants and tomatoes on the vine. You captured your childhood through their smell I think that's great. For some reason Bread pudding does it for me. BTW, don't forget to pinch out the fifth set ;)

 

Submitted by the unfolding head on
thanks bexley. It's a great smell isn't it! Bread pudding... mmm, never went for that but my brothers did. I have no idea what the 'fifth set' is but I'm assuming it's a gardening tip... might have to do a google search or pester someone with green fingers :)

ddf

Submitted by Ed Crane on
sorry posted it twice

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Wonderful poem, tuh...as evocative as those tomato plants...not to mention bread-pudding. Those certainly were the days;-) Tina

 

Submitted by the unfolding head on
cheers Tina! :D

ddf

Submitted by Luly Whisper on
The fifth set of flowers, I think bexley means - an outdoor tomato should only be required to produce 4 trusses of fruit.

Submitted by the unfolding head on
ok got-ya, thanks Luly... 'trusses' that's a nice word. I'll have to get squeezing then.

ddf

Submitted by hoalarg1 on
There are some beautiful lines here. As you say old scents nudge the memory more than any other. Particularly enjoyed: as the impossible blue sky the light creeping through the curtains sidestepping sleep covers pushed back. Wonderful! A deserved cherry.

 

Submitted by the unfolding head on
Hey hoalarg1 - thank you very much, that's really kind of you to say. Glad you enjoyed reading it :) ...cherries and tomatoes... 'citing!

ddf

Submitted by shoe on
Something special methinks, sweet peas do it for me.

 

Submitted by the unfolding head on
nice one shoe... weet peas eh? nice choice :)

ddf

Submitted by the unfolding head on
*sweet

ddf

Submitted by tcook on
This is our Facebook and Twitter pick of the day. Join us on Twitter @tcookabctales Join us on Facebook at ABCtales.com Get a great reading recommendation most days.

Submitted by the unfolding head on
thanks TC!

ddf