Delilah~
Penny-shorn dress with frayed edges
brushing the grass near barefeet
tangled in wet patches
she dances beneath the sun
unaware of her misfortune,
with ignorance,
she is fortunate.
Neighborhood boys make rude remarks
behind laughing faces.
She sees a smile
and waves, smiling in return
unaware of their mischief
with ignorance,
she is fortunate.
(c) k~
This was a "real" girl I met when I was in elementary school, who taught me by way of watching her interactions with others, that sometimes ignorance really is bliss.
This post is part of the
A-Z Challenge 2012.
I guess in her case what she didn't know did not hurt her. Great job.
ReplyDeleteThat was the way it worked Wanda. While I sat nearby and watched, it made me angry, but the look on her face was pure joy. She had no idea they were taunting her, or making fun of her, she just saw that they were talking to her and it made her smile. It was hard to watch, even as a youngster.
DeleteIt's rather a sad poem, but insightful. I think as writers, we definitely need to remain at least partially ignorant because not everyone will like our work, and if you dwell on that, it can be discouraging.
ReplyDeleteNice poem
I think insight, awareness, and intelligence rule out ignorance for the most part. I am pretty much a realist, and I realize that there are various styles of thought, and perspectives. I know that some will, and some won't like my words... I'm okay with that.
DeleteA great poem!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, depending on the context, what you know won't hurt you, and it's best left that way!
Enjoy the rest of the A to Z Challenge!
Thank you Michelle, and thanks for visiting through this A-Z Challenge! My first visits of the day, always start with those who have found their way to me... so here's to checking out your blog too!
DeleteOh how lovely, great image. I wish I were a little more ignorant while growing up. I was much too concerned with what others were thinking. Ignorance is bliss, however, happiness finds us in all circumstances as well and sometimes the happiest of us have the least to lose.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I think many people (old or young) think too much about what others think of us. The lack of freedom to develop who and what we will become at that age is sad to me. I love the last line of your response, "happiness finds us in all circumstances" that is such an empowering statement, and a wonderful addition to the day!
DeleteAnother example where ignorance is bliss.
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/
...and if she is none the worse for it, perhaps the purpose has been served in me. I have been a generally kind person most of my life (just don't do something purposely cruel, to me or those I love and I stay that way hehehhe), but I may have been influence by what I saw in this circumstance, in a way that protected me from becoming a bully. (shrugs her shoulders) it's difficult to ascertain what might have taken place, but I like to think there was a bright side to the lesson.
DeleteI pride myself on this.. not always knowing what is going on in others minds has often worked to my advantage. It evokes those buried memories of hurts we wish we never lived through..
ReplyDeleteIt's a blessed trait to be sure, one I am not equipped with, but can pretend through in public places when necessary.
DeleteI love this poem. It reminds me of a poem I wrote years ago for the April poetry month. The title was Orange.
ReplyDeleteGreat job. I envision the girl perfectly.
Maribeth:)
Do you still have the poem Orange? I would love to read it!
DeleteYou have such a good heart. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth. My son said something to me when he was about 13, (he was a deep thinker from the day he was born, I swear it!) he told me "Mom, everyone has different gifts in life" "Yeah," I said wondering where he was leading the conversation. "I think yours is love, because everyone that comes into your life knows what it feels like." Do I have to tell you that I started crying on the spot? I'm grateful for the blessing/curse :-)
DeleteSuch a sad, yet happy post all in one. I like not knowing everything, sometimes.
ReplyDelete♥
I have never really mastered innocence... as a matter of fact it would not surprise me to find out that I was born old. LOL... but I do recognize it in others, and appreciate it for them.
DeleteI like penny. We should all be so ignorant.
ReplyDeleteIt would sure make a difference in the way we interacted if we were daph.
DeleteI have worked with autistic children--and sometimes the other children would laugh at them and the child with ASD would laugh along with them, not knowing any better--figuring something funny was happening and not particularly to them. This post reminded me of that experience. While the other children were eventually taught that laughing at someone wasn't acceptable--the boys with autism I worked with never knew better and never would.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Cheers, Jenn
That's a great example Jenn. Sometimes the lack of understanding is like a protective coat for the children who would be teased mercilessly by others. I wonder how a bully feels when they realize the Universe is one big giant mirror.
DeleteThank you,
k~