Putting In The Seed Comments

The poem divides into two; an introduction and the main section starting ‘Slave to a springtime passion for the earth.’ The last two lines are unforgettable: The sturdy seedling with arched body comes Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs. Force is suggested both by ‘sturdy’ and the seed’s arched body, and the stress on ‘shouldering’ reinforces the impression of a tiny power that cannot be contained.