I Water Dead Plants

A lazy gardener’s memoir of hope against all odds. Hardly a “How to” book; more of a “What I did and didn’t do.” Full of approachable poetry that is more prose-story with a LOT of humor, while addressing symbolically themes of renewal, faith, belief, grief, resurrection and hope.

Author and Photographic Artist Heather J. Kirk surrounds herself with flowers – at least on the walls of her home. In spite of a love for all things botanical, she can’t seem to grow a garden or sustain a flowering plant, though her patio and home boast several healthy succulents. To those who point to the mostly healthy cacti and agave, “They’re used to drought,” she explains.

She has found a way to resolve her dilemma. At night, after chores and errands are complete, when distractions diminish, the phone no longer rings, and e-mail is exhausted, Heather works on her art. The plants and flowers are watered by her undivided attention as she paints each with her pen or camera lens.

In the fertile ground of the mind, assisted by technology, Heather’s garden grows in spite of periodic neglect. She tells stories in poetic form that are often funny and always unique – but with a universal message that speaks to the heart and of hope. In spite of the word ‘Dead’ appearing in the book’s title, her writings are often built upon a foundation of belief and hope, renewal and possibility. She considers her plethora of experiences in killing most, but not all, of her plants – yet trying and trying again – as an allegory to life. True to what is implied by the book title, I Water Dead Plants: a book of poetry and belief, “It’s not over ‘til it’s over!”

Life is hard. Sometimes REALLY hard, and we often fail. But even in failure we can find meaning and purpose. Then, when something REVIVES and LIVES, especially from a state of apparent death, what a wonderful gift and surprise we receive! Gardens and plants are the fertile (and not so fertile) ground for Heather’s stories and poems about life, relationships and faith. Resurrection is real!

Ultimately, Heather surrounds herself with flowers that will not wither…cultivated to perfection in the dark hours of the night.

In this volume you will read of the blessings and battles with nature, and about Heather’s flowers and plants, some dead and gone, some revived by water and nature, others by words. I Water Dead Plants brings true resurrection, even if “only” symbolically. May these poems bring life, hope, and a bunch of humor, to your day and to your difficult situations.