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.

[Chris 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.

[...]

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.

[Chris 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

[Chris 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

[AJNJ]

We all have our less than perfect parts and It takes a lot of courage to accept what one sees in the mirror, at times. Yet, with narcissism and vanity on the rise, its getting increasingly difficult to find that rare gem that shines with a fourth leaf head and doesn't look to be yet another piece off the assembly line. Indeed, sometimes a flaw makes its owner more alluring and special. Wish more people realized that. Fantastic thinking, Ms. Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for understanding AJNJ for seeing in my lines what I am thinking. Appreciate your visit and valued comments.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Its a pleasure always dear friend 🤗

[Dripping Chocolate Madn..]

:)
Show your fourth leaf, people!
We know you've got one!

So uplifting to hear from another person.
Thank you so much. You've renewed my faith in humanity for another season.
This is absolutely inspiring. And beautiful. And spiritually recharging.
And clover is my favorite ground cover.
:)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanking you for what you see in these lines. If you find them inspirational then I can ask for no more.

Chris

[Ana Papaya]

The message in this poem is such a very important one.
And I think you delivered it so well.
A great way to illustrate it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Ana, I am so sick of all these beautiful young women looking like clones. They all look the same. Take that muck off their faces and you see true beauty. Then you can see their uniqueness.

Chris

[Ana Papaya]

There's something to be said for natural beauty.
I agree.

[barleygirl]

I love this poem. I love the strident tones of confidence-boosting that you convey between your well-crafted lines. At first I was thinking how we, as dumb poor-sighted humans, see the one that's different & automatically assume it's a defect. But as your poem goes on, I also catch tones of how we shouldn't let the expectation of this "rejection" be what defines the way we move thru this world. To me, the crux of this is when people feel they must have certain appearance-boosters like makeup or hat (cover that bald spot) . . . it's so relaxing to move thru the world without worrying what we look like! As your poem does, I also wish for others to know this freedom! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Inessa]

This is a fine lesson for us all, Christine. It's a world obsessed with perfection and anything that strays from that perceived norm is an abomination in the minds of some. Just as you wrote, a clover is still a clover, whether it has three leaves or four. We should embrace our uniqueness, be proud of it and not travel the path of conformity. This is a wonderful moral. One the younger generations especially should take notice of. Fine writing.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

An interesting rallying call to the legions of ordinary folk who look in the mirror and are unhappy with what they see. Indeed uniqueness is beauty but unfortunately we are sold 'perfection' by advertisers, TV and Films