Self-Harm and Positive Thinking: The Black Eyed Susan Poem
When digging through some papers from my past, I found a children’s poem I’d written for a class that had to contain a positive message. Reading over this, I thought it would be worth it to share, even though it doesn’t come out and speak about self-injury. However, when it comes to discussing self-harm, positive thinking is a crucial element.
Positive self-talk has been mentioned throughout my blogs because it is a very important coping skill for, not only those struggling with self-injury, but for anybody battling a demon. When I am tired and un-motivated to wake up in the morning, I will tell myself things to get my energy and confidence moving. It is not as easy as it seems and is definitely easier said than done, but positive self-talk definitely leads towards overall positive thinking.
The reason this poem is important is because it brings forward the idea of hope, admiration and that everyone matters, no matter their size, appearance or troubled pasts. We are all worth a minute of everyone’s time and just because we have struggled does not mean we are monsters or that our pasts should be hidden. It means we have more strength than imagined and being a little different than everyone else is okay.
The Black Eyed Susan Poem
Susan looked up into the sun
Wondering why Sunflowers had more fun.
She was just as beautiful, just kind of small.
But Sunflowers were where the attention would fall.
“I look just like them,” Susan would say.
“But with me, no one ever wants to play.”
Susan was sad and started to cry
Until some sneakers trotted by.
The sneakers stopped and big eyes looked down.
Soon, Susan was plucked right from the ground.
“Why did you pick me? Susan said.
“When right over there is a sunflower bed.”
“Sunflowers may be a bigger version of you.
But Black Eyed Susan’s are beautiful too.”
The little girl smiled; Susan started to understand.
Why she was being hugged in the little girl’s hand.
She may be small and sneakers pass by
To visit the sunflowers high to the sky.
But Black Eyed Susan’s stand just as tall
Even if they look so tiny and small.
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APA Reference
Aline, J.
(2013, August 9). Self-Harm and Positive Thinking: The Black Eyed Susan Poem, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 22 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/speakingoutaboutselfinjury/2013/08/self-harm-and-positive-thinking-the-black-eyed-susan-poem
Author: Jennifer Aline Graham
I think this is an amazing poem.
It was an inspiration.
Where do these inspirations come from?
If not from GOD,
for a purpose-His purpose!
To show us we are ALL BEAUTIFUL
In our OWN way!
We think not, for whatever reason, then one day we realize WE ARE Beautiful.
Look for your beauty and you WILL find it, sooner or later. You WILL.
So just KNOW it IS there and one day you WILL see this is right.
I don't want to content myself being a b.e.susan while trying to be a sunflower. Beauty, external beauty is overated in this poem, and everywhere. I used to cut because people told me that I too was pretty and I knew better. I had acne and my teeth were ugly, and I was overweight. I suffered a lot until I learned that TV is killing us girls with personality issues, and that other well intentioned people, like the one who wrote this poem, are condescending and not sincere. I focus now on my own talents, my kind of beauty, my strength with numbers, my ability to memorize botanical names (taxa); I memorize names like the family of the back eye susan and sunflower, but want to be or look like them. Focusing on beauty harms people, sick people, suffering people. Struggling people.
I'm sorry you feel this was and I completely see where you are coming from. However, the poem was supposed to bring forward the idea of not comparing yourself to others and realizing you're beautiful on the inside and out. I'm sorry if this wasn't clear and I appreciate and respect your explanation and comment.