Symmetry of petals green,
hens and chicks, a flock of
rosettes and buds,
from maid to mother to crone.
Without wings to fly up high
or beaks to gather seed,
they prosper in the
poorest ground.
A reminder that fancy gilt
and private jets
don’t create the hardiest stock.
Adversity does.
Notes: Hens and chicks are a common succulent in rock-gardens. Symmetry means the beauty of form with balance.
So many awful events in recent news, hurricanes, mass murder and no sensible gun legislation on the horizon. What can poets do, except write poetry? And wait for the world to find its balance.
Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks to Violet Nesdoly for hosting. Violet is a wonderful poet, and she has all the links.
60 thoughts on “Symmetry”
Comments welcome!
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
I am glad to have found you. I love your blog and the poetry and images that go with it.
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Thank you. Your story is adorable.
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TRUE!!!
As I work on the fairy gown. 😀 😀 😀
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Yay!
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Yes, what can poets do to a world that is slowly breaking. Anyway, awesome poem! Love it.
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I guess we can tape the seams, sew the splits and let the curtains billow.
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Yes, Hens & chicks are prominent in rock gardens but they can hold their own as a specimen plant in a container.
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Yes, they need room to spread out, though.
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Nice 👍🏾
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Thanks!
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Poets will keep writing poetry, dreamers will keep dreaming, but who knows if the world will ever be a better place. Keep writing, my friend. You’re doing your part.
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Thanks, Toni. We have to keep our chins up.
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nice poem, and nice hens and chicks!
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Thanks!
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There is so much depth to this poem. I truly admire how you make connections in your world, Brenda, and then capture them in rich poems. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Molly. I’m trying so hard to not be angry all the time, but the news is unbelievable some days.
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Some days? I’ve turned off the radio on my commute and listen to audio books instead. It’s the only way I can stay sane–though I feel guilty about my reduced news consumption…sigh…can’t win, I guess!
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I really have to get out of the habit of checking in the evening hours. I have trouble sleeping. I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, though.
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The first three lines of this poem caught my attention, Brenda. You used such rich language to draw the reader’s (and the garden viewer’s) attention to this lovely plant.
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Thanks, Laura. I like that the hens and chicks grow in a circle of female unity, all squashed together.
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Oh poetry! If one looks closely they might find some commentary on the world hiding just beneath the surface of the roots of those succulents. Love it, Brenda. So clever.
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Thanks, Christie!
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Three cheers for all who survive and thrive with grit and adversity! I bought a hen last spring. The name on her ID tag at the nursery was “Killer,” but she’s the best mama ever — she must have a dozen kids by now!
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That is awesome. I was sad to read that they only live until they bloom. So treat her well when she’s blooming.
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Yes, let’s find balance, Brenda. Thanks for showcasing what you found to ground you.
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Thanks for stopping by, Carol.
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“Symmetry is what we see at a glance; based on the fact that there is no reason for any difference…”
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Yes, only study reveals the differences.
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Wonderful hope from tenacious plants. Really like the ending of your poem about adversity creating hardiness. So true (even though we’d rather not test it out personally).
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Don’t all writers face adversity?
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Your second stanza is my favorite 🙂
I have dozens of other plants, so I don’t have a totally black thumb or anything, but I have a hard time with succulents. (I know! They’re supposed to be easy!)
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They seem to do really well in rock gardens.
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Your “hens and chicks” poem has perfect balance, “symmetry” Brenda. “Adversity” creates “the hardiest stock” how true–long live diversity, thanks! Beautiful image too, I love the complementary rose and green together!
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Thanks, Michelle. I don’t know if I see the world through the lens of poetry or see poetry through the lens of the world, but both are becoming nearer and nearer each other lately. I’ve decided not to fight it. It’s what I need to be saying right now. I liked your poem, too.
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Very thought provoking poem, Brenda. Didn’t know about hens and chicks. 🙂 Adversity coming in spades, relentlessly, on so many levels. What a test for humankind.
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Thanks, Jama. I still have hope for our species.
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Such wise lessons you share from the hens and chicks. Yes, out of this adversity, we can indeed bring truth and beauty and grace and love–just as you do with your words. All the small actions add up to an outpouring of change.
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Yes, indeed. The more people whose lives are touched, the more inevitable change becomes.
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Hens and chicks! Perfect subject for symmetry and strength. Well done!
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Thanks, Diane!
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Lovely, Brenda. I particularly liked your second verse – and of course the truth that beauty blossoms in adversity. (I always think of the cactus flower – set amidst the thorns, in an arid environment.)
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ooooh, I do enjoy the back handed slap in the last lines. You are right, of course and I love how you find truth all around you…..better yet, you write it out. As always, thanks for sharing your words. I so enjoy a visit with you on Fridays. I’d love to see you in person sometime. Perhaps one day when you are promoting a new book.
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Oh, I hope I get to promote a book one day. I just had a very disappointing rejection after two revise and resubmits. It’s hard to not despair. I’d love to meet you one day, too, even if I’m not promoting a book.
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Oh, I have this succulent in my garden. I had forgotten it was called Hen and Chicks. Lovely inspirational poem.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THIS OLD WORLD…IS VERY ASYMETRICAL ESPECIAL WE ITS PEOPLE!—BUT WE ARE LOVED ANYWAY!
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I suppose so. Peace.
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Hey…I’m just using fancy words to say we’re all human! And lichen, rocks and flowers do hold each their own niche in the world! 😀
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So true. Have a great weekend.
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Gonna try! 🙂
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A lovely picture of succulents amidst the rocks! This is indeed a nice photo and like you said, symmetrically balanced indeed. I do love succulents as it thrives through all sorts of weather. Have a lovely Friday and weekend ahead Brenda!
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Thanks, Garfield. You have a great weekend, too.
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i love this and you’re so right about the survivors and their ability to overcome adversity. keep on writing poetry is right –
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Thanks, Beth. We need to remember how tough and strong we are because the world keeps reminding us to be afraid.
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Hens and chicks are a PLANT? You just made my day. Lovely poem.
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LOL Yes, indeed. A cheery little plant.
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How much fun is THAT! I have to check them out for next year. Thank you. I was just talking to Melanie and she never heard of them either. She also thought that was an adorable name:)
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Always, Excellent Poetry and Truth! 😎😎😎🥀🥀🥀
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Thank you! Your messages are always so cheery.
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Very nice.
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Thank you!
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