Sunflower

Providence teaches us that we must put others before ourselves, and work towards the greater good. None of us will argue that the greater good is an absolute necessity, given the state of the world these days. 

However, is the greater good always greater? We think of utopian societies that have failed and become dystopian. We think of well-intentioned government polices that have become dysfunctional. 

On a personal level, we think of our kind intentions for others that have come to naught because their perspectives have been ignored. Perhaps the intention is simply not sustainable. Perhaps it doesn’t fit the need at the time. Perhaps it’s simply inflexible. 

Just some muses. Enjoy this sonnet on the sunflower, a common symbol of working towards the greater good. 

We have to do it in a balanced way. 

The sunflower that smiles for all, 

Chirpy, pretty and gay

Tries hard, on its stem, to stand tall

To brighten each new day

The flower’s laugh does become strained

Other flowers see its smile for wile

Then into its life, a little rain

As it goes the extra mile

Its smile, perhaps, cannot last

Other flowers cannot follow

Has laughed too hard, danced too fast

To notice others’ sorrow

Sunflower’s smile, perhaps not needed

At this point of time

And so, its kind dance unheeded

Though other flowers not be blind

Though it stands, its cover oh so kind

It cannot bend or twist its form

To help all those in a bind

It thus seems out of norm

Little sunflower, still can shine

If it’s kindness not be blind.