Maybe There's Courage in Clover

(when you look at a field of clover, you don't see imperfection, sadly too many of our young people look in the mirror and hate what they see)

a field of clover

wet from recent rain

lush in its verdant greenness

perfect in its wider vision

hides imperfection

yet you wouldn't know that

unless i can show it

so when i hand you a short

stem supporting four leaf heads

instead of the usual three

it may appear to be a flaw

in its making, but i don't

suppose it feels any different

from all the others being

tickled by september sun

look at us as a species

too ready by far to point at

each others defects instead of

celebrating who we are

we are all human regardless

so it saddens me to see those

who lack courage to stand firm

some have such a shallow 

opinion of their own appearance

they will follow the crowd

to gain sameness

instead of playing their own

ace card, standing alone and

being proud to do so, they

join an army of monotony,

afraid to display uniqueness

believing comfort comes in 

numbers

Reviews

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

This is poem is so on point my dear friend. Everyone nowadays wants to be a size zero with arched brows and pouty lips. I swear I can't tell one social media influencer from another. In gentle, sensitive words, you convey your dismay. Love your poetry always.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

My fav cat Ditzy says it like it is. Even a p***y cat can see it. Why don't these young women stop following the crowd and stand proud. Clones they are. Treats for you.......... Always good to have a visit from you and you can be sure of treats every time :)

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Thanks dear Chris! Your treats are lovely always! Keep inspiring us, my special friend.

[Jimmy Yetts]

In an increasingly collectivist world, sameness becomes the logical standard.
Go to almost any of our schools; see how conformity of thought is, practically,
demanded--difference, roundly discouraged.
That "army of monotony" has, for far too long, held sway.
A desperately needed message adorned in high art.
Thank you, Lady Christine!

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Dear Jimmy, thank you for your thoughtful response. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - you are so right on! Sometimes I wonder where are those who have the courage? Those who will finally say, "Enough is enough! We shouldn't have to put up with this garbage anymore! Those who are willing to put themselves at risk and initiate necessary change - are there any?
GOD - I can't wait until November when we vote and hopefully get fid of the idiot in the White House.
Take care of you and yours - Dave

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Dave for your much appreciated visit. Have a lovely Sunday. All the best.

Chris

[Relic]

Your words can only be shared through years of experience and wisdom. I find it a shame that young people are all looking to emulate what they see on TV or media. I like the clover connection you've made. Great poem.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Many thanks Tim. I appreciate your thoughts. It is mainly young people, particularly young women I am referring too. Social media has much to answer for. All good wishes.

Chris

[Neville]

You have hit on something here that many others will be aware of too ..

the increasing mindset and associated trends to which you refer is perhaps not necessarily as new as one might believe it to be.. it is however much more globalised today than ever before and the immediacy that stems from todays technology and social media forums serve to reinforce and exacerbate the positive and or negative characteristics and attributes of so called celebrities & role models .. I blame a lot of this on the way our world has largely adopted a tick a box, pop a pill, push a button, I want it now attitude and mentality ... bring back the birch and ..

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Neville. I think social media has certainly made the situation worse. I can't understand why young women in particular have to make themselves into clones of others. There is a surplus of sheep around methinks. Now what has the birch got to do with it? lol. I just wish people would show their uniqueness more. Celebrate it instead of having to copy others.

Chris

[Neville]

whilst I do agree .. I still think that birches have feelings too and should not be excluded,

Neville

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Good mane, Neville. Ah trees, yes there is a certain sameness about them and I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings.:) Trees are so much nicer. For a moment I thought you were talking corporal punishment :)

[Neville]

... Not on your nellie :)

[Christine Anne Shaw]

... I thought you might have had a funny turn, whacking with a birch took me back to the boys lining up outside the headmaster's study:)

[Neville]

... I was one of them boys on several occasions ..

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Naughty boys can turn into naughty men :)

[Lorry]

Well said Chris. We see flaws others don't and in most cases it is just an illusion, as we are used to seing ourselves in the mirror and feel that's not how we see ourselves. And it isn't.
Go into photoshop and flip the same photo and hey presto, its us again, where left is left instead of right in the mirror.
Plus, are we still in the playground? Be unique, embrace it and stand out, but for self and not others. They'll all have an opinion no matter what we do.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. Just having a whinge. Too many people follow the crowd in everything. Not just behaviour but the way they look. Clones they are. Mainly young people who don't want to be different. Thank you.

Chris

[Lorry]

I was certainly different. Big dark quiff and skinny. Sigh
😀

[Dave Brown]

I better read the other reviews before I write anything too unique
I don't know about that standing out stuff
Just saying (I think)

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Many thanks Dave for your visit.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Easy to seek solitude dear Chris. With old age upon me. I became Salinger. Thank you for the internet. Allow me to create without wandering out. I agree. Too many quiet voices in our world. The world become more lonely when we should be seeking some happiness. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Too many follow the crowd, not just in the way they look, but the way they behave. Where are the visionaries, the pioneers of the past?I too am thankful for the good part of the Internet which keeps us connected to friends who are like minded. Then there's the other part which is vicious and hateful. Always appreciate your wisdom Coyote. Many thank yous for your visit.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.

[John the Baptist]

I think perhaps the internet has led to a reluctance to show one's uniqueness. After all, who wants to stand out, only to become the target of the army of cancelers, trolls, conspiracy theorists and unvarnished psychos who populate cyberspace these days?

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Sadly you are right, but who gives a toss about a minority of nutters? Never follow the crowd, that's my motto John. Thank you for the visit.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I just love this...different does not mean flawed. Different means unique, something or someone noticed in a crowd of sameness.
j.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Oh to be the one that stands out. The one that diesn:t follow the sheep. Thank you Jacob.
read moreOh to be the one that stands out. The one that diesn:t follow the sheep. Thank you Jacob.

Chris

[...]

Title is reminds me that famous qoute by Jesus about mustard seed. Just little faith can change so much more. Your metaphors are very ordinary and very truthful like life it self. To step out of crowd is not easy thing to do. And also keep there without wish to return to save zone. Our modern society push so much pressure on young people. To be always best to make money and to became almost just like number at system of economy . To step out you need to be then just brave you have to be sensitive for others and for your self. I think our education must be so much more then learning schemes . Also true spirituality and empathy forward to others. Cause we start more believe at our self if we see how strong influence can we make on others and world. Again you prove you are able to bring sensitive subject at most beautiful poetic form.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Martin for your thoughtful review. Yes it takes courage, but I wish there were more leaders and less sheep. Young people have a tough time these days.

Chris

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Martin for your thoughtful review. Yes it takes courage, but I wish there were more leaders and less sheep. Young people have a tough time these days.

Chris