a texan’s response to the parable of the sower

Sister Lou Ella Hickman

December 7, 2025

luke 8:5-8, matthew 13:1-23, mark 4:1-20

You often taught the crowds with parables—

one so simple:

the birds of the air are fed  

      see how the lilies grow

another  a farmer’s tale:

a sower went out to sow . . . 

who scattered seed on the path

but the birds came and ate them up . . .

here in south texas

the mesquite is known for its rugged, knotted wood

and long, thin seed pods

that nourish cattle as well as birds . . .

this knotted tree is a scrappy one

where birds come to nest 

rest in its branches 

or feast in its shade

which sounds like another story You once told

about another scrappy tree in a field

after their fill   the birds will leave

scattering their deposit   a treasure of seeds

across this land’s semi-arid ground . . . 

in time   this treasure will grow

nourishing again a hundred-fold

like Your own rugged words 

Author’s note.  Thanks to the birds of the air, we have eight mesquite trees growing on our convent property. Mesquite is also well known as one of the favored choices of firewood for barbecues. For 29 years, the city of Mesquite, Texas has been honored as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.  

Sister Lou Ella Hickman, OVISS is a former teacher and librarian whose writing appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. Her first published book of poetry is entitled she: robed and wordless (Press 53, 2015) and her second, Writing the Stars (Press 53, 2024.) She was nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2017 and in 2020.