Friday, April 3, 2009

Not a Weed, But a Flower

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Suppose you'd known for a long time that you were a weed.

When you were just a little sprout, before anyone had told you you were a weed, you'd known something of what flowers feel like; and as you grew, you felt you'd like it better if you were a flower.

But you learned to be satisfied living as a weed nonetheless—most of the time. You learned to bend a little so as not to take too much sun, and to eat and drink and breathe, not quite so much nourishment from the flowers around you.

It's only in spring when the flowers start to bloom, that it's hard to be weedlike; then, when the warm breeze comes, you feel a stirring of hope, a wish for just a taste of blooming. But you can't of course, you're a weed.

Now suppose that one day a lovely creature walks into your field looking for flowers, and suppose she walks straight up to you and says: "What a strange and lovely flower this is hidden from the light!"

For a moment you would not believe her. But oh, you would want to. So you might begin softly, to look and feel around yourself. And what if you discovered that this had all been a silly mistake—that you were not a weed, but a flower after all.


Well, that's what it feels like. A little sad that I spent so much time as a weed when I didn't have to. A little in shock. A little exposed. Excited, in a quiet way, to discover what I'm all about. I don't know much about being a flower, yet. But it's me, and I love it, and I'm giving it all I've got."


Author Unknown

Allyn Evans
www.allynevans.com
info at allynevans.com

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6 comments:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

I've always known weeds were flowers. It was all in the perception of others, not in the sould of the weed--er, flower.

Very nice piece, Allyn.

Caroyn Howard-Johnson
Author of the multi award-winning novel This Is the Place, a novel about a girl who wouldn't believe she was a weed.
www.carolynhoward-johnson.com

L. Diane Wolfe said...

If we all started thinking of the Dandelion as a flower rather than a weed, lawn maintenance would be so much easier!

L. Diane Wolfe
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.spunkonastick.net
www.thecircleoffriends.net

Jewel Sample said...

Great way to see yourself. Now the trick is to discover what kind of flower you are and if the label everyone calls you is your real name.
I discovered when I moved to Oklahoma 35 plus years ago that Irises are called Flags. I found this label interesting.

Linda Allen said...

Great reminder to start my week as a flower! One person's weed is another's flower. Thanks for sharing.

Linda Allen
www.lindaeallen.squarespace.com
www.lindaeallen.blogspot.com

Beth Blair said...

Lovely post! When I was in San Juan recently the topic of mint being a weed kept coming up, as we sipped mojitos! Well, those weeds sure help make tasty beverages.

Allyn Evans said...

Never thought of mint being a weed. Hmmmmmm.