They Tried to Bury Us, They Didn’t Know We Were Seeds

They tried to bury us; they didn’t know we were seeds.

The history of this phrase can be traced back to Mexican activists. It was used in support of the Ayotzinapa 43, where 43 students disappeared in Iguala, Mexico in 2013. Since then, it has been used for a number of social movements. This is because, during difficult times, the metaphor of seeds holds particular emotional sway. The idea that those who have suffered immensely might help bear the fruits of justice has taken on a global resonance.

Written by Greek poet Dinos Christianopoulos, this quote depicts how tiny seeds can lead to big change. Born in Greece’s second city Thessaloniki in 1931, Christianopoulos’s writing was quite complex for his times. In fact, his writings led him to be ostracized by Greek and international society. Today, his poetry and music, whether translated by context or language, retain a deep power.

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