The nature of this flower is to bloom.

Nick gave me Alice walker's first complete volume of poems 'Her Blue Body Everything We know' just after we met at Uni. I loved it, still do. I think he recognised the rebellious spirit in me even then, now he is just resigned to it. Today I took a wander in the garden and was amazed at how many plants are on the cusp of flowering, buds swollen ready to burst open . It reminded me of this poem 'The Nature Of This Flower Is To Bloom' immediately.

Rebellious. Living.
Against the Elemental Crush.
A Song of Colour
Blooming
For Deserving Eyes.
Blooming Gloriously
For its Self.

When Rowan was going through a rough patch at school and feeling a little self conscious about her body shape, I used to tell her the exact same thing. The nature of this (meaning Rowan) flower is to bloom. When she understood what I meant, it produced such a big smile and being such a positive wee soul, she turned things round and began blooming gloriously for herself.