Sow Seeds of Wisdom: A Collection of Prose and Inspirational Stories That Just Happen to Rhyme…with a Little Wisdom Sown In

By K.A. Bloch

In her multiple award-winning second book, Scatter Seeds of Kindness, author and poet K. A. Bloch encouraged readers to spread kindness to others and to themselves. In Gather Seeds of Hope, the author’s award-winning third book, she encouraged readers to hold onto hope for themselves, but also give some away to those in need. In Sow Seeds of Wisdom: A Collection of Inspirational Stories That Just Happen to Rhyme, the author shares little bits of her wisdom and knowledge, while also encouraging readers to evaluate what they have learned on their own journey—and to pass what they have learned along to others. Wisdom, like kindness and hope, is meant to be shared.


Told in her usual lighthearted, slightly self-deprecating manner, the author shares wisdom through both prose and poetry on such topics as common sense, betrayal, things we keep hidden—or choose not to reveal, things we hold onto long after we should have let them go, and spirituality, among many other topics. Sometimes deep and profound; sometimes lighthearted and humorous; the poems in Sow Seeds of Wisdom always provide fresh insights for the reader to learn from and ponder.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: May 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9781662945038

Book preview

Preface

When I first started writing this book, I was once again stopped by the question of a name. I was initially going to call this book Things I’ve Learned Along the Way, which is the title to one of the early poems in the book. Then I decided to call it Fruition of a Dream, which is actually a name I had picked out when I published my first book because this writing adventure has definitely been a dream come to fruition. But just as with my other books, Scatter Seeds of Kindness and Gather Seeds of Hope, I started to see a theme emerging within the poems and prose, and that theme had to do with sharing wisdom. So, the name Sow Seeds of Wisdom seemed to be more fitting, and it went alongside the themes of my other books regarding sharing the good things like kindness and hope while always striving to learn more and become a better version of ourselves.

As with my other books, there are many different themes emerging in this book, including spirituality, letting things go, keeping things hidden, the pain of loss and betrayal, striving to reach goals and make change happen, and the fear that comes along with change and new adventures. In each prose and the accompanying poem, there is always a hint of some wisdom that I am hoping to convey, whether something from my own life experiences, something I have witnessed in other people’s lives, or sometimes, things I have pondered and wondered about.

I have to chuckle a little bit in my own self-deprecating manner because I am clumsy (I trip over my own two feet), or I open my mouth and something really silly comes out. But every now and then I have some wisdom to impart, and I hope that shines through in this book. If you find something in this book that you like and resonates with you, whether it be in the poem or the prose, please pass it along and share with a loved one or friend or on social media. Because wisdom, like all the good things in life, is meant to be shared.

Sow Seeds of Wisdom

Each of us has knowledge

That we draw upon each day.

We carry this wisdom with us

As we move along our way.

This knowledge consists of skills

Ingrained in us in school;

Not only math and science,

But to enact the Golden Rule.

Outside of school are lessons

That we learn each day we live.

Practical skills and common sense;

To help society, and to give.

This knowledge helps to guide us

And to shape who we’ll become.

This wisdom is for everyone—

It’s not just shared with some.

So as you gain this knowledge,

Don’t keep it to yourself.

Don’t tuck in your back pocket

Or place it on a shelf.

This wisdom that exists in us,

We sometimes take for granted.

But someone else might benefit

From the knowledge that we’ve planted.

If you have insight to share,

Please pass it along.

If you have the right intent,

You surely can’t go wrong.

So scatter seeds of kindness,

And gather seeds of hope.

Spread your wisdom freely,

As you might help someone cope.

As hard times come along,

And in life they often do,

Someone may refer back

To the lessons learned from you

Something that you taught them

May suddenly arise

And your words might help to clear

The doubt that clouds their eyes.

They may be able to carry on

With clear thoughts and clearer head

Because they put into action

Something that you said.

And isn’t that the greatest gift—

To be able to help another?

The world at large will benefit

When we all help out each other.

So whether you’ve helped a neighbor

Or a person yet unknown,

You’ve shared your gift of knowledge

With the wisdom that you’ve sown.

• • •

The following poem was written around the start of a new year. I must have been in a reflective mood, looking back at previous years but also forward to another year, as my birthday is in January. I started making note of all the ramblings in my head, and they led to this poem. As I got deeper into the poem, it started to become more personal to me, as I reflected on people I have lost and how time is not infinite. I realized, through the writing of this poem, that even though I consider myself a loner and very independent, I really do need people around that I count on, as they count on me, and no one benefits by going through this life journey alone.

However, sometimes people take independence as a sign that you are pushing them away, and in that case they may not be there for you if and when you need them. There are times when we all throw up our hands and yell that someone else needs to steer the ship for a while; someone else needs to take the wheel. That is not a sign of weakness or loss of independence; it’s a part of being a family or community and taking care of each other when needed. That was an important lesson for me to learn. Also, as a work in progress, there are still plenty of things I am learning, sometimes with the trial by error method. One of those things is that I should probably work less and live more. But that is a catch-22 because it is the work, and let’s be honest, the money, that allows us to have a decent life. So, as I mentioned, there are still plenty of lessons to be learned and hopefully several years still ahead in which to keep growing and learning. But perhaps the most important lesson learned, and one I am grateful for every day, is the opportunity to live this life and be a part of this world for as long as it will have me. That is a lesson that will never falter.

Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

I’ve lived upon this earth

For over 20,000 days.

I know I can be obstinate,

And I am set in my ways.

I’m not the smartest person

Who ever walked across this earth.

But there are plenty of things I’ve learned

Since the day my mother gave me birth.

So many lessons I have learned

Since the day that I was born.

I’ve learned the prettiest rose

May possess the biggest thorn.

I’ve learned that making progress

Is a fit of stops and starts.

I’ve learned that life consists of dreams,

And sometimes broken hearts.

I’ve learned that we can own the world,

Or we could lose it all.

I’ve learned how to be humble

So my pride avoids the fall.

I’ve learned that life’s not always fair,

And that’s just how it goes.

I’ve learned the best gifts in life

Don’t come tied up with bows.

I’ve learned that calmness can be found

With a purring cat upon my lap.

I’ve learned the best travels

Often don’t include a map.

I’ve learned that simplicity

Is better than complication,

And making things too difficult

Just leads to much frustration.

I’ve learned it’s not the biggest dog

That always wins the fight.

I’ve learned at times to be quiet

Instead of insisting that I’m right.

I’ve learned that I can find some peace

By being more forgiving.

I’m learning that making a life

Should come before making a living.

I’ve learned that time can stitch a wound

But it may not make it heal.

I’ve learned at times I must succumb

And let others take the wheel.

I’ve learned I miss my parents

And those who’ve passed away.

I’ve learned that I must press on

And live another day.

Even if living that day

Means some people are not there.

I’ve learned, as I have mentioned,

That life’s not always fair.

I’ve learned not to extinguish your light

To make my own shine brighter.

I’ve learned that sharing burdens

Makes my own load somewhat lighter.

I’ve learned that when you need someone,

They may be busy with their own.

I’ve learned I don’t like this feeling

Of feeling all alone.

I’ve learned that I am in charge

Of my own destiny.

I’ve learned that time keeps marching on

And does not wait for me.

I’ve learned to say I’m sorry

Before it is too late.

For I’ve also learned time is finite;

We all have an ending date.

So what does all this mean . . .

These random lessons I am spewing?

Perhaps I’m in a reflective mood

And some peace I am pursuing.

For another year has passed

With an added wrinkle on my face.

But I’ve learned how very blessed I am

To occupy this space.

And I’ve learned to be grateful

For every day upon this earth.

This is the greatest lesson learned

Since the day my mother gave me birth.

• • •

I have had the title of this next poem, Fruition of a Dream, in my head since my first book was in the works, and I contemplated naming my first book by this title. But it’s like when you have a name picked out for a child or a puppy, and then when you look at them you realize that the name doesn’t quite fit their personality. I am glad I had a change of heart and of title because, although I didn’t realize it at the time, my first book was only the fruition of one dream. It was as if something was telling me Not yet with the title for that first book. I must have had a gut feeling that more would be coming, and that my first book was not the end of the dream, but the beginning. And that it would not just be one book, but a culmination of all of my other books combined to make up this dream that has now been realized.

That being said, is this the end of the dream? Has it come into fruition? I am not sure, but I hope not! I sure hope there is more to come. However, as I always say, the words are boss. The faucet is turned on, so hopefully the words will keep pouring out. But if not, I am so honored and proud to have been able to bring my dream to life, and I so appreciate the readers who are taking the journey with me. As a side note, my first book, or any of my books really, could have been called Fruition of a Nightmare, because years ago it would have been a very scary endeavor to think about putting my work out into the world for people to read, and judge, and criticize. But the flip side of that nightmare is hoping that someday maybe a thought or idea or a line of a poem that I wrote will help someone in some way, and that my work will live on long after I leave this world. That would definitely be the fruition of all my dreams.

Fruition of a Dream

An author opens up the box

And unpacks her brand-new book.

She’s waited for it for so long;

She just has to take a look.

As she thumbs through the pages

She comes to the realization

That her dedication and hard work

Have led to this creation.

The pride is flowing out of her

As she stares at the front cover.

She holds it and caresses it . . .

Gently, like a lover.

This book has been her passion.

This book has been her mission.

She can’t believe her lifelong dream

Has come into fruition.

Dreams come in many sizes,

And each one is unique.

Dreams can spur us forward

To reach the goals that we seek.

But dreams do not come easy

And they don’t happen overnight.

Life can interfere

As the dream fades out of sight.

A dream can be daunting

And seem too hard to achieve.

But dreams can give us hope,

And in something to believe.

Dreams can give life purpose

And a reason each day to rise.

Dreams build determination

As we focus on the prize.

Dreams, they can be tricky,

And dreams can disappoint.

Dreams can make us shake our head

And wonder, what’s the point?

Dreams don’t always come true

No matter how hard we try.

Sometimes we feel our hearts break

As we kiss that dream goodbye.

But if that dream does come true

And you can feel its worth . . .

When you know this is the reason

You were put upon this earth . . .

When you feel the vision start to grow

And you feel that dream take root . . .

When you can taste the victory

Getting sweeter like a fruit . . .

When you’re bursting on the inside

And your eyes can’t hide the gleam . . .

That is when you celebrate

The fruition of a dream.

• • •

Have you ever heard of the butterfly