Daisy Darling

Warning: This post goes through a dark tunnel - but there is light at the end.

Hey Daisy darlin'

Don't spread your arms so wide

Why don't you keep

A little something inside

I know you think that hands are made

For pullin' us through

But there are people in this world

Who don't think like you do

Hey Daisy darlin'

Don't give them all you can

Why don't you keep

A few more cards in your hand

I know you'll only say a thing

You believe to be true

But there are people in this world

Who don't think like you do

And they don't think like you do

And some don't

Think at all

Hey Daisy darlin'

Don't take it all as red

Why don't you ask

A few more questions instead

I know you think that everyone

Should be paid what they're due

But there are people in this world

That don't think like you do

And they don't think like you do

And some don't

Think at all

Hey Daisy darlin'....
(repeats first verses)

~"Daisy" by Karine Polwart

I've never been able to figure out for sure if Polwart is being ironic.  Part of me thinks she means it all literally. A description of some naive little girl thinking the world should be simpler than it is and gently trying to tell her to see its complexity; to guard herself; that its better to keep more inside and not share so freely. Gentle counsel to a delicate flower in an effort to toughen her up so she can survive.  Or if Polwart is speaking to the world. Showing it how it's crushing daisies.


Feels like the latter.  And yet I've learned the first is true, too.

Guess that's the beauty of art. The definition of art. Saying more with less.  And because its less, it can mean more to many.

Sometimes I find myself believing truth is relative.  That there's no way to really interpret a situation. It turns from black to white and back again like a revolving door.  And you don't know what to believe as real. Reinventing history? Or remembering history?  I think I'd like to be like God - all things present - one eternal now.  No wonder he's full of truth. Nothing's history to him.

So should the daisy follow the advice? Keep more inside? Not spread her arms so wide? The question seems irrelevant.  She didn't keep more inside; didn't keep more cards in her hand, right? Or Polwart would have nothing to write about.

As for me.  I'm tired of history. It feels like a scene of crushed daisies. Daisies who said what they thought to be true.  And no one can really tell if it was true.

Then it hits me. The frame is all wrong.  This version flows into my mind:

Hey "Daysie" Darling

I've spread my wings real wide

Come drink my Light

And let it dwell inside

I know you think your hands are made

For pullin' you through

But you're thinking like the world

And I don't think like you do

Hey "Daysie" Darling

Don't take it all as red

Why don't you ask Me

A few more questions instead?

I know you only say a thing

You believe to be true

But you're thinking like the world

And I don't think like you do

And I don't think like they do

For some don't think of me at all

Hey "Daysie" Darling

I give you all I can

Drink from my wells

And not the wells of man

I know you think that everyone

Should be paid what they're due

But you're thinking like the world

And I don't think like they do

~ Katie "Daysie"