Clover: On Being Lucky, Or Not

One of three pieces for my final writing workshop project.

let’s be honest: I have never been

particularly fond of my mother,

with her soft white skin

and her crushing hugs, intent on

swallowing me whole.

let’s be real: even my father

gets on my nerves sometimes,

because he doesn’t know it but

there’s such a thing

as being too laid-back.

 

my parents named me clover.

I think they were hoping for a strong,

beautiful daughter, with daddy’s height

and mother’s green eyes.

they were hoping for a lucky girl.

they named me clover orchid johnson,

and expected me to be anything but unlucky and plain.

too bad for them.  I wasn’t.

 

no wonder angelo will never talk to me

except on this ferry, and even then

only out on the deck,

where no one who matters will see as

the cold air bites our necks, our cheeks—

everything we’ve made the mistake

of exposing to the winds.

 

he won’t say a word to me at school,

or as we wait to board,

but once the “danger” (what danger?)

has passed, we talk endlessly,

filling all our 22 minutes and beyond

with chatter, with “how was your day”s,

with us.

 

sometimes, I hate the ferry.

I hate watching as things come into view—

either destination dooms me.

I love the crisp air and the wind, though,

and I know they love me too,

from bluish lips and pinkish cheeks

and hair that takes ten minutes to brush later.

I love the sight of the sea, spraying

as the ferry slices through the waves.

I love the sight of the wake.

I love the boy who stands next to me

in his old red jacket and ripped jeans,

watching everything with me as the waves turn and crash.

 

my parents named me clover.

they were hoping I’d be lucky—

and in everything but what I see on the ferry,

I’m not.

 

Reviews

[Spit_and_Prayers]

I really like this, it's honesty and introspective. It's also a cool original form for a poem. The poem rings true on several levels, encompassing the general trials of growing up and fulfilling (or not) expectations which are trust upon you. Cool.