A poem by Alec Finlay

Hope Seed

for beth

Remember the hope seed
  that you gave me – 
      a small, flat, paper moon.
I put it in the saucer
  that my chilli plant
      stands in
and forgot about it.
  A few days ago
      I noticed
a tall green shoot
  coming from under
      the plant pot.

The seed had slid
  under the pot,
     made the most
of the old water
  and cold tea
     that has been tipped
onto the plant,
  and sent itself
     out into the world.

I have repotted it
  with the chilli.
     I don't know
what it will grow
  into
     but it seems
to be doing fine.

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Born in Scotland in 1966, Alec is an artist, poet and publisher. He is currently artist-in-residence at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Recent exhibitions include EAST 05 (Norwich Gallery) and AVANT-GARDE ENGLISH LANDSCAPE (Yorkshire Sculpture Park). Recent publications include turning toward living, Shared Writing, Ludwig Wittgenstein: There Were You Are Not, Mesostic herbarium, Wind Blown Clouds, and  DtArNaCcEe DmAuNsCiEc, a bookscape in collaboration with Andrew Hodson. The bookscapes series was preceded by the pocketbooks series (2000–02) and small press series (2002–05). Alec lives and works in Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. For further information www.alecfinlay.com.