Here I grow, green and eager to make my mark, to be seen and felt by the world, but I am surrounded by a dried up and thorny army, well appointed with pointy barbs and irony. I am rooming with aged warriors who wear their badges of fierceness and distrust like dried flowers in their lapels, proud mementos of perceived trials and tribulations and injustices they have suffered and overcome. Their loud bragging and boasting of their past battles hard won tends to crowd out other weeds, but not me. Do they boast so loudly to stamp truth on the accomplishments listed on their C.V? Do I really look as if I need to be convinced?
Although I am green and young, I have dangerous secrets. I have stinging barbs of my own. They are tiny and delicate, almost unnoticeable until you brush up against me. I do not need to brag, nor to wear badges of my battles in order to feel important or give weight to my convictions. I am secure to just be here and lure you in, closer, closer, closer.
The setting that I thrust myself into reflects and compliments my status as a warrior. I may not boast loudly of danger with large thorns, but I have another weapon. Subterfuge is one of my favorites, and I wear it well. I might look like mint, refreshing and healthy, but know my name, it is Stinging Nettle. Long after we meet you will remember me. My touch will be felt by you for day’s afterwards, a burning reminder of my invisible strengths.
Although their din is harsh to a small weed’s ears, perhaps my neighbors have discovered something wise. Perhaps we need to sing of our own triumphs in order to strengthen ourselves and to keep the lessons fresh even when our flesh dries and hardens. I think I’ll try it out!
Please come back tomorrow for a new “Weed Image of the Day” and let me know which ones you like.
We and our weeds are so much more than what we first appear to be.
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