Seed to dust
by Marc Hamer
I was flailing around in my vegetable patch one afternoon when an eager, novice plantsman, hailed me over the Marion berry fence. “Thought you’d be interested in this book,” he said, waving it at me. Naturally I was intrigued. It is a book about Gardening, sort of.
Marc Hamer is a unique writer, peppering his writings with insights into insect’s lives, birds, types of trees, plants, and ways of working with nature.
(But…a slight diversion here). Somehow the book resonated with my teenage quest in the past, i.e., what is Existentialism? It was more intriguing than all religions (ancient, popular and not so), and other philosophies (same). Of course, as only an avid teenager (nerd type) would do, I read all the materials that I could get my hands on. And whoa, this amazing writer evoked memories of that youthful quest.
Hamer, without using the abstruse wanderings of a Camus, or the pedantic musings of a Sartre, explores feelings involving existentialism with clarity. He never mentions the actual subject, and I felt his philosophical musings were unintentional, i.e., just the way he looks at life.
With gentle, loving reminiscing he weaves in stories of nature, plants and humans. All produced from observations, while working Januarys through Decembers in a country garden.
As I followed his narrative, I came across, landmarks that point to love, destiny and the intrinsic meanings of life. Hamer fascinated this reader, giving meaningful glimpses of moments in his life. When a young man, he wrestled with thoughts of suicide, miseries of a fractured family, and homelessness.
Throughout this marvelous book I felt I was listening to a wise and trusted friend.
Review by L.C.M.