The Roots of the Matter
Words, for a person who enjoys reading and writing, are like the variety of plants in our world. Regardless of what language you consider you will find it uses words which are utilitarian, some that are sustaining, and others which are beautifully descriptive. Likewise, some plants are useful for building things, some for feeding us, and many others express inspirational beauty.
For example, the word ‘do’ is a no-nonsense, useful verb. The word is used for many different meanings, such as produce, solve, and suffice. Colloquially, or conversationally, ‘do’ can mean visit, deceive, or swindle. The word is used as a base for phrases such as do over, do like, and do away with. Now, I see the word ‘do’ like I see the longleaf pine tree. It used to be more common throughout the southeast, but it was over-harvested for lumber. Other trees are used for lumber now. The tree is also useful for its pine needles and its bark, both of which make fine mulch for other plants.
There are also words which sustain and strengthen us. ‘Hope’ and others like faith, promise, and conviction are words which feed, nourish, and nurture us. The alternative is fear and hopelessness. In the plant world we have many edible choices which are indispensable to our health and wellbeing. The nutritionists declare that fruits and vegetables are one of the major food groups, so there you have it! Continuing our comparison, if not for these edible plant foods we would be doomed to a dark diet indeed.
Descriptive words like sweet-sounding, mellow, and ladylove take us to places we fondly remember or to places we dream of. These kinds of words give infinite variety and surprise and wonder to common language. Doesn’t that sound like what roses in full bloom bring to us? Or a rolling meadow of wildflowers in spring? Or the aromatic wisteria in its prime? Imagine a novel which reads like a mathematics textbook and that’s what our world would be without the ornamental flowers, shrubs, and trees.
I found that this analogy of words and plants could be carried out ad infinitum. Note that I used a Latin phrase in the previous sentence. The English language not only descended from Latin, but we commonly use Spanish, French, and even Scandinavian words. Similarly, we enjoy many non-native plants in our gardens and landscapes. We have merged, blended, and lumped together words to form new meaning, and the same is done with cultivars and varieties of plants.
As you can see, I am fascinated with words and nature. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the options contained in both. The challenge is to properly understand and use them to form a finished piece. Right now my acre and a half of yard is practically a blank canvas. I’m learning that plants talk a different lingo down here than they do up in my original home of Kentucky. But, I’m visualizing a space that will be functional, sustaining, and pleasing to all the senses of anyone who passes by.
For example, the word ‘do’ is a no-nonsense, useful verb. The word is used for many different meanings, such as produce, solve, and suffice. Colloquially, or conversationally, ‘do’ can mean visit, deceive, or swindle. The word is used as a base for phrases such as do over, do like, and do away with. Now, I see the word ‘do’ like I see the longleaf pine tree. It used to be more common throughout the southeast, but it was over-harvested for lumber. Other trees are used for lumber now. The tree is also useful for its pine needles and its bark, both of which make fine mulch for other plants.
There are also words which sustain and strengthen us. ‘Hope’ and others like faith, promise, and conviction are words which feed, nourish, and nurture us. The alternative is fear and hopelessness. In the plant world we have many edible choices which are indispensable to our health and wellbeing. The nutritionists declare that fruits and vegetables are one of the major food groups, so there you have it! Continuing our comparison, if not for these edible plant foods we would be doomed to a dark diet indeed.
Descriptive words like sweet-sounding, mellow, and ladylove take us to places we fondly remember or to places we dream of. These kinds of words give infinite variety and surprise and wonder to common language. Doesn’t that sound like what roses in full bloom bring to us? Or a rolling meadow of wildflowers in spring? Or the aromatic wisteria in its prime? Imagine a novel which reads like a mathematics textbook and that’s what our world would be without the ornamental flowers, shrubs, and trees.
I found that this analogy of words and plants could be carried out ad infinitum. Note that I used a Latin phrase in the previous sentence. The English language not only descended from Latin, but we commonly use Spanish, French, and even Scandinavian words. Similarly, we enjoy many non-native plants in our gardens and landscapes. We have merged, blended, and lumped together words to form new meaning, and the same is done with cultivars and varieties of plants.
As you can see, I am fascinated with words and nature. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the options contained in both. The challenge is to properly understand and use them to form a finished piece. Right now my acre and a half of yard is practically a blank canvas. I’m learning that plants talk a different lingo down here than they do up in my original home of Kentucky. But, I’m visualizing a space that will be functional, sustaining, and pleasing to all the senses of anyone who passes by.
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