Sunflowers

Most of my friends, when reading this, are going to roll their eyes and think “Sunflowers? Again?” because they all know that I’m literally obsessed with them. Like, I’m not kidding, I have a Pinterest board about them. And even though it’s titled Flowers & Plants, it’s obvious I have a little problem. I once wrote a small epigram on my writing Instagram account and after posting it I realized that maybe I was trying to tell myself something. Now, writing is my passion, I wouldn’t be typing up this article if it wasn’t, but my poems are no better than Josie’s (she’s going to deny it, but she’s amazing at this stuff) or any other artist’s. But this one, the one that I can call my own original, was my favorite. I mean, I might as well just deleted the previous posts because I loved that poem.

​“I wish the world was just as accepting as a field of sunflowers are to the sun.” I always thought of flowers as if they were like people. There are thousands of types of flowers, each one has a name, they all have colors that you identify them by, and they’re spread across the globe. The Sun, in an odd way, represents the people of Earth. Everyone. Yes, I know that sounds weird and I’d probably be kicked out of an astronomy class, but for now the Sun is the Earth. Who are the sunflowers? Here’s where some people go wrong. You do not have to have a specific title to be a sunflower, they are unnecessary. What do I mean by this? I mean that you do not have to be a nerd to accept everyone for who they are. Sunflowers are not the popular kids at school. They’re not just teachers, or authors, or cheerleaders. Telling me you are a soccer player does not tell me you are, or aren’t, a sunflower.

The only way I can see if you are a sunflower is how you treat other people, and even yourself. Do you spread happiness by giving that girl who has the really pretty hair a compliment? Do you strike up a conversation with the new kid because he’s wearing those awesome shoes you’ve been meaning to buy? What’s kind of sad is that there are not many people who have these characteristics. Think about it, roses are more commonly gifted than sunflowers. So, just in case if any of you are thinking of bringing me on a date, get me sunflowers, not a bouquet of roses. Or, better yet, a book because, well, you know me. So, just like the sunflowers in my poem, we should all be accepting of everyone. Too many girls of dark skin are being bullied, too many boys and their love for ballet and musicals are being attacked, and too many gay couples are receiving hate comments. Why can’t the world just just be a sunflower for once and take in the sun? Accept the the enjoyment that one person could give you, there are benefits to being an open-hearted person. I’m not trying to hate on tulips, or roses, or daffodils; because, just like people, they are all beautiful and should be given attention, as well. But, maybe, at least once, be a sunflower and be good at it. Encourage him, compliment her, be a trend setter and spread kindness.