Recent research has talked of ‘orchid children’ –
those who without special nurturing and attention fail to bloom. They have the potential to achieve a lot but
with improper care can spiral downwards into addiction, self-abuse, depression
etc. There have been many articles on
these orchid children – how to identify, help and encourage them flourish. Parent’s websites and magazines abound in strategies
to help them.
However, the 'dandelion children', those who thrive
despite hardships tend to creep under the radar. This piece is designed to celebrate these little rays of sunshine
that make the world brighter despite being given an incredibly hard start in
life.
Dandelion children they call you
No rare orchid sensitive to water and light
A resilient hardy species
Whose ugly roots go deep beneath the surface.
Through hardship they must dig deep.
Burrowing painfully in dark places.
Enduring pain and suffering
Not nurturing and kindness.
All that digging bears fruit
The bright-headed dandelion has roots
Fragrant flowers would die for.
Cheerfully resilient they are found everywhere!
Needing no brush to help them fertilise
No tender handling for efficient growth
Tear them out, eradicate with determination.
These deep roots will send shoots
Of new growth towards the light.
Dam them, enjoy them, endure them
They will out.
Once spent in their blazing brightness
They multiple a hundred fold
Scattering their off spring
With sweet abandon.
Knowing that these are a breed apart
Using every obstacle as a stepping stone
All setbacks an opportunity
To inwardly reflect
On lessons to be learned.
Steeled against philosophical circular ponderings
Or self-conscious preoccupation.
They've learned not to blame
What cannot be changed.
The dandelion children state their claim on life
Painting their happy sunshine colour
Prosaically common
Outshining the pretty and the rare.
