Would you like flowers more
if they had writing all over them?
Would you respect them more
as individuals?
I suppose a flower’s gonna do
what a flower’s gonna do.
Flower with ink
or flower with no ink.
I know which flower I’d pick.
Then again,
you’re not exactly a flower.
I don’t even LIKE flowers.
And so it is written
down the stem
of your spine.
11/27
The verses offered reveal a contemplation on identity, perception, and value, set against the metaphor of a flower—perhaps a symbol of nature’s simplicity—and the addition of ink, as a metaphor for the complexities and stories that adorn a life.
Nature and Narratives:
The image of flowers, natural and unadorned, compared with flowers covered in writing, conjures a question of authenticity and the impact of our stories on how we are perceived. Does the addition of narrative—in the form of ink—enhance the intrinsic value of the flower, or does it detract from its natural beauty?
Individuality and Identity:
In pondering the respect for flowers as individuals, we touch upon the broader theme of recognizing and valuing uniqueness. The presence of ink could symbolize the experiences, choices, and expressions that make up an individual identity. It asks whether these markings, these stories, contribute to the respect we hold for an individual.
Acceptance and Preference:
The admission, “I know which flower I’d pick,” speaks to personal preference, hinting at a deeper acceptance of things as they are—unmarked—or perhaps as they have become—inscribed. It’s a reflection on the subjective nature of attraction and value.
Humanity and Nature’s Contrast:
The turn of phrase, “you’re not exactly a flower,” shifts the narrative from the botanical to the personal, drawing a line between the simplicity of a flower’s existence and the complexity of human life. It’s an acknowledgment of the vast difference between human nature and the nature of a flower.
Dislike and Dissonance:
The assertion of disliking flowers introduces an element of dissonance, a twist in the narrative that complicates the previous musings. It suggests a rejection of the very basis for the earlier comparisons, perhaps symbolizing a discomfort with or rejection of the simplicity and unadorned beauty that flowers represent.
The Final Inscription:
The closing line, “And so it is written down the stem of your spine,” is evocative and personal. It transforms the metaphorical ink on the flower into a metaphor for the indelible marks of life’s experiences written upon the self. The spine, a central pillar of physical structure, here is used poetically to signify the core of one’s being.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We explores themes of identity, perception, and the nature of value through the metaphor of an inked versus a natural flower. We question whether our stories and experiences, symbolized by ink, enhance or detract from our value. The narrative shifts from the impersonal to the deeply personal, suggesting that life’s experiences leave indelible marks on our core selves.
Glossarium
- Authenticity: The quality of being genuine or true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.
- Narrative: A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
- Subjective Nature of Attraction: The personal and unique preferences that dictate what one finds appealing or valuable.
- Indelible Marks: Permanent marks or impressions that cannot be removed or forgotten.
“The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart.” – Rumi
Upon the canvas of the cosmos, inks of life are spilled,
Each mark a story, a memory cherished or unfulfilled.
Yet among the stars, does nature’s artistry compare,
To the tales written deep within, beyond compare?
We ponder the ink, the marks, the script of existence vast,
And find within ourselves, the stories that will last.
For in the end, it’s not the flowers we choose to adore,
But the essence of our being, the heart’s core.
We welcome thoughts on the allegory of ink and nature, and what it reveals about our own narratives and the marks we leave on the world.
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