Biology
by Emily Seth
Take flowers, for example:
All beautiful, all unique.
All react differently to the same circumstances.
It’s basic biology.
Do you plant sunflowers in sand
Where the desert candles grow
And expect them to sprout?
Do you put roses in a lake
Next to the blooming water lilies
Not expecting them to drown?
Do you expose marigolds to the Arctic spring
In which the snow lilies thrive
And expect them to toughen up?
Of course you wouldn't.
What kind of gardener are you?
Now think of children.
All beautiful, all unique.
All react differently to the same circumstances.
Do you take kindergartners and place them in an environment
Devoid of love or acceptance,
And expect them to take root?
Do you take teenagers and place them up to their necks
In responsibilities
And not expect them to crumble when you pile more on their shoulders?
Do you expose soft hearts to the harsh judgement of society,
Without anything to shield them from the cold,
And expect them to warm up?
No.
Because they are living,
Growing,
Human,
Beings.
So what kind of a parent will you be?