John Clare
When once the sun sinks in the west,
And dewdrops pearl the evening’s breast;
Almost as pale as moonbeams are,
Or its companionable star,
The evening primrose opes anew
Its delicate blossoms to the dew;
And, hermit-like, shunning the light,
Wastes its fair bloom upon the night,
Who, blindfold to its fond caresses,
Knows not the beauty it possesses;
Thus it blooms on while night is by;
When day looks out with open eye,
Bashed at the gaze it cannot shun,
It faints and withers and is gone.
Are you an evening primrose–shy, afraid to be seen in the light of day, unaware of the magnificent beauty you possess? The world has been robbed of far to many amazing leaders such as you because you choose to be bashful, hiding your beauty and magnificence under the cover of darkness, afraid to be seen, as afraid to be right as to be wrong. Drop the prim. Be a rose. Have the courage bloom in the bright light of day, to be seen in all your glory and to bear the truth of what you have to offer the world regardless of what others might say. Ignore the naysayers and the name-callers. After all, as Shakespeare said, wouldn’t a rose by any other name smell just as sweet? Inside of you is a leader, if only of your own life. It’s time to stop hiding. I’m speaking to myself as much as anyone else here. Let’s bloom. Together.
