My Floral Obsession Began in High School

I believe in flowers-

In marigolds, daisies, in posies

I believe in hope in the midst of extreme places

Have you ever seen a witch hazel among the snow

Or a winter where the arctic willows grow?

I believe in hope.

I believe in vibrant love

I tell my grandma I love her in bouquets

We water our geraniums every two days

I believe in love.

I believe in growing towards the sun

If you’re phototrophic you lean towards the light

Sunflowers grow big and bold and bright

I believe in surrounding yourself in positivity.

I believe in diversity

The way fields bloom without division

Flowers judge by sensing instead of vision

I believe in coexistence.

I believe in the art of simplicity

Flowers have beauty beyond belief

Without perfect makeup and flawless teeth

I believe in natural beauty.

I believe that weeds don’t actually exist

If it weren’t them, we couldn’t wish

Once one of my wishes came true

I’m glad that that summer the dandelions grew.

I believe in pleasant surprises.

Wildflowers aren’t planned, and neither was I

We still flourish without being shy

I believe that everything happens for a reason.

The fragility of the petals, and the elegance of the stem are two of my favorite parts of a flower. The represent gentleness that I hope to replicate. The roots lay strong in the dirt through rain, sun, and wind. I hope to one day master the combination of gentleness and strength. After finishing high school, I believe that I can say I am as strong as a daisy. Throughout the year I’ve had to weather many of my own storms. There’s difficult classes, many extracurriculars and a painfully rapid transition to adulthood. After this year, I can say I have truly bloomed. I flaunt my petals in the sun with confidence and move on to the next spring with confidence. My roots are strong, I have been watered frequently by the hall of Valley High school and I feel ready.

I believe in myself the way I believe in flowers. I have truly blossomed.

Janet Canady