The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily 1467: Geranium by Karen Solie
Mar 2, 2026
A short reflection on stubborn volunteer plants and what their hardiness reveals. Anecdotes about failing at houseplants and neighborhood seedlings taking hold. Admiration for resourceful greenery that surprises with unexpected blooms. A calm reading of a poem that centers on seeds that root themselves.
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Soft Thumb Confession And Volunteer Plants
- Maggie Smith confesses she has a "soft thumb" and struggles to keep houseplants alive despite wanting a green-filled writing room.
- She contrasts indoor failures (killing an air plant) with numerous volunteer outdoor plants and invasive mint that spring up unbidden.
Cactus, Ficus, And The Volunteers In The Yard
- Maggie describes having only a spiny cactus and a ficus still alive, feeling like she's jinxing them and asking listeners to send well wishes.
- She notes many garden plants are "volunteers" from seeds blown by wind or birds, sprouting without intentional planting.
Volunteer Plants Show Resilience
- Volunteer plants reveal resilience and resourcefulness by taking root without human care, which Maggie admires despite the extra work they cause.
- She respects their hardiness as examples of life asserting itself across fences and seasons.