My Fave Personally-Written Poem

An elderly friend of mine passed in 2009. This poem is about her...but before the poem, let me tell you just a little bit about Daisy.
By legal definition, here in the USA, she would be considered "white" by today's laws. But no matter. Here in the southern US (and probably most of the country), Daisy was "black". Funny thing about being "black" is, you can be every color from snow-white to coal-black and it really doesn't make any difference. You're "black". Up north, Daisy would've been called a "high yellow", being that her coloring was pretty much like that of Lena Horne's. Frankly, Daisy was a lot prettier than Lena ever was. I've seen the photos to know it! And yet, call Daisy whatever you will, she was a strong woman with a good heart that married a man that she admitted that she had not been in love with. It was just as well. He was never faithful to her anyhow as she was him. If she hadn't been, she'd been the first to tell you!
There was a sadness in Daisy though, that went beyond the obvious cultural and societal norms from her day. The truth is, her black mother had been raped by a prominent white businessman and thus Daisy came to be. She always felt the difference between her treatment from that of her siblings. I did not know her family and it was all so long ago. I will say that her Mom must've been a strong woman too, because it seems that she did try to be good to Daisy and thank God she did have her!
As you read my little poem, you'll see that I have revisited the flower/seed theme again. It was actually done quite unconsciously back when I wrote this over 5 years ago! However, Daisy (her REAL name!) was a true flower in so many ways and thus, my poem.

For Daisy

One delicate blossom
A most beautiful bloom
Arose and grew
From earth's dark womb.
But the ground had been ravaged
To plant that seed
And 'though it proved a flower
It was counted a weed.
The sun had beaten down
And rains had overflowed
Yet there stood the flower...
What courage it showed!
When night finally beckoned
(As it always will)
The blossom slowly folded,
Then became still.
Let's wait for the sunrise
For we will see then
Those petals will reopen
The flower shall bloom again!
I promise you, Daisy
When you wake from your sleep
You will know you are a flower
And had never been a weed.

janet

JL,

Wow what a beautiful tribute! Do you know of any of her relatives who might want a copy as a rememberance?

S.C.

Thank you, Hibee and SC.
SC, the only family she had left would not appreciate it. They got a lot of her stuff after she died and she would've hated that! She tried to fix everything so that this would not happen, but even the best laid plans go afield...at least they did not get her house! She had reverse-mortgaged it! :)
Rrakkma, your words are most kind and appreciated! thank you so much!
janet

We all could use a friend like Daisy in our lives! Thanks so much for sharing this. Simply beautiful.

Thank you, Mom, TMA, and Charmy! :)
janet

Thank you, Cornell! I'm blushin'!!!
janet

So very kind of you John! thank you!
janet