The Weed
Oh, little sapling, how is it you sprout in these harsh environs where man nor beast dare linger.
The sun, see how he scorches, burns clouds before their time.
Yet, dare you to flourish in silent defiance.
You humble me so, for while I seek succour from without, you brim with sustenance – from within.
Your very being, an exquisite art of survival and self.
*** Copyright @ Eric Alagan, 2016 ***
If you think about it, some of the most attractive, and even the tiniest flowers are on what are considered weeds.
Not dandelions, though. Suffer not a dandelion to live. 🙂
I have to admit guilt to the statement of trying to “seek acknowledgement and encouragement – adulation even” in my affairs. It’s kind of funny; I want acknowledgment, but don’t really want to be wildly popular.
Nice little verse! I did enjoy it.
Very true, John, all that you say.
Welcome! Thank you for your visit and comment.
We find great beauty (and I use the word beauty in its broadest sense) in the most unimaginable places. It speaks of many things, including the single-minded resolve to stay the course, no matter what – and so, I reckon.
As for seeking “acknowledgement and encouragement – adulation even” — all of us are guilty of it, to varying degrees. I’ve been very guilty of this too. However, I’ll use the word “guilt” with a light touch. Because, as social animals, we need acceptance by the tribe.
What I notice is, as we evolve, this need pales for some while some continue to grasp at straws.
Thank you for your kind words.
All good wishes,
Eric
There is another side of this though. Sometimes the weed is cut short in their prime. Let’s enjoy the resilience while it lasts. —Smile—
Very true – this often happens in “civilized” areas but seldom in the wild.
Man defines what a weed is and by that definition Man is himself worse than a weed – more of a parasite, I reckon.
Peace.
Well said. Seeking sustenance from within is, perhaps, the recipe for success. In a loud world, most of us have become dependent on measurement of success based on external measures, which are inconsistent and often come with hidden costs.
Very true, Ankur
I believe that we have all we need within us.
External measures do truly come with a cost.
Cheers,
Eric
Perfectly defined Eric. Survival though or how we might flourish given just a little opportunity.
Hello Val,
Good to have you visit.
I sincerely believe the Old Fella up there, or is it the Old Gal, will never give us a burden we cannot bear or a challenge we cannot surmount. We are truly the masters of our destiny.
Peace,
Eric
Beautiful but a sad image!
Back in our old village house, when we first moved in, and had not started planting, we had weed everywhere. Mum used to select and pull them out, give them a good trim and made beautiful flower arrangements. She would do this on new year’s day and all our guests admired them. Nobody knew they were weed.
Your post is a beautiful illustration, Eric
Your message moves on many levels. It put in mind the story that my parents told me about the wild flowers (some would call them weeds) which flourished in the naked bomb sites in London during the WWII blitz. Here was nature, resilient, beautifying the worst damage that man could inflict; nature a miracle on so may levels.
Dear Jane,
I can well imagine the anxiety of people sheltering in dusty bomb shelters during the blitz. And after the “All Clear”, to emerge from the dim to face the rubble. The sight of defiant wild flowers must have held great joy and hope to the desperate people of London and the surrounds during those dark days when Great Britain stood alone. I’ve always held the British in high regards and carry no burdens from the fact that they were colonialists and I was among the colonized. In fact, I count many fine British military wives as my school teachers. In later days, I’ve had several English gentlemen for my business mentors.
We share some parallels, in that, my mother had related how she used to shelter from Japanese bombs that rained on Singapore – the British authorities and the locals were caught completely by surprise. A few years later, she again took shelter in Japanese built bomb shelters when the Allies bombed Singapore. Friendly fire!
We had more than our share of weeds because at that time, Singapore was primarily an undeveloped tropical island that still relied on rubber, fruits and vegetables.
Thanks for the memories,
Eric
Sorry for commenting twice, but I had to keep re-reading it. I love this. It reminds me of battles both fought by myself and by those I know who have fought against odds, and against what might have appealed to those around them. Really beautiful. very inspiring. but most of all, extreme intriguing and i’ll keep thinking about it all afternoon.
Apologies not required and you’re welcome to post as many comments as you wish.
I’ve read hints of your battles in your blog posts. Such perseverance is commendable. We all need your strength in times of our need. It is indeed scary to be a lone voice in an auditorium filled with voices baying for your blood. As I said earlier, you remain an inspiration for me.
I’m glad my words resonated – what more can a scribe ask 🙂
Much luv and hugz,
Eric
i loved this one and and could really relate. Thank you for sharing this. 🙂
Hello Willow dear,
So lovely to have you return 🙂
My pleasure to share,
Eric
Hello Eric,
While the world will always want to weed out the weed, yet the weed will somehow find its way to grow. Is the weed really inferior, or is its resilience not visible to the world ?
Humankind inadvertently categorizes the successful and those cast away as weed, when they do not recognize the talent within. Perhaps with a second look, the weed may turn out to be a beautiful climbing plant.
As always, Eric, you got us thinking again !
Well Jasey dearest,
The question is – who is the weed?
I realize the title alludes to the sapling, but allow me a little cheekiness 🙂
A great big hug,
Eric
Hmmhp.. naughty weed that spread its sprout !
Hugz to you, Eric.
My Dear Eric,
‘Tis has been a while since last I posted your way. I trust all is well in your world and that the new year has been wondrous for you.
Ah, the mighty weed, in all it’s momentary trembling being, existing because it stays in the present, relishing whatever sustenance it gleans from it’s surroundings, relinquishing not it’s singular lot on this blue planet.
I’ve always marveled at nature in its sundry guises; walking along sidewalks on Newbury Street in Boston, watching a tiny sprout of foliage blossom from the concrete below. How is it possible?!
Amazing.
‘Survival and Self’. So true, Eric, and it behooves all humankind to witness such beauty, such ‘Being’. And if more people embraced such simple yet perfect ideas, then the world can thus heal and become whole once more.
Thank you, as always dear friend, for posting such a timely message.
May many folk flock to your writings, and leave with many insights.
Humanity, as it stands, needs it.
Take care, and warmest wishes your way,
Paul 🙂
Dear Paul,
What a pleasant and welcomed surprise!
Yes, it has been awhile but old friends we are – we simply take up where we last left off.
Good tidings from my side. I’m a grandpa now – our first grandchild, Kiona, arrived September 2015.
I’ve been busy with many projects and hence my prolonged absence from blogging and poor (complete no-show) attendance to relish your blog posts.
Yes, nature is a great teacher but we humans are always playing truant and preoccupied in our endless quest to collect more things shiny.
How are you my dear friend? I trust and pray that your home is filled with much love and smiles.
All good wishes for now and I’ll presently pop over to your blog,
Eric
Dear Grandpa Eric 🙂
Fantastic news, and congratulations, good Sir! Nice to welcome a beautiful new bundle of life into the world, and I’m sure Kiona is quite lovely to behold!
Yes, life is good here, with warmth, love, and smiles all around. It has been a good winter.
As per your post, yes, so many people tend to mimc magpies; always searching for the next shiny bauble or bibelot to display for others less fortunate. Really, how much ‘stuff’ does one need in life?…
Take care, Eric, and congrats once again on the latest edition to the family. May Kiona bring you many smiles and tiny hugs.
warmest wishes, my friend,
Paul 🙂 🙂
Once again you’ve used nature to illustrate a human condition. You are correct, somehow nature survives in the harshest environment, but we humans give up too easily.
Thank you, Ian,
And you’re so very right. Most humans always seek acknowledgement and encouragement – adulation even – albeit to varying degrees. Occasionally, we learn of a rare soul who makes it big – then, we go behind his/her story and marvel at the years of slog in quiet solitude. I’ve all along wondered what drives these people – if not something deep within their souls.
All good wishes,
Eric