La Marguerite

This piece was inspired by the game “he loves me, he loves me not”.

The "French daisy game" is a tradition called "Effeuiller la Marguerite" (meaning "to pluck the daisy"), which is a romantic version of "he loves me, he loves me not". It is a game of French origin, in which one person seeks to determine whether the object of their affection returns that affection.

I remember being a child and playing this game, taking a flower and plucking each petal off and saying "he loves me, he loves me not" until you get the final answer with the last petal standing. 

Even as young children, we’re given the message that our self-worth is tied to someone liking or loving us. And sometimes this concept can be translated even into adulthood. Wondering if someone likes you, asking the age-old question, "do they love me?" Looking for answers in external things, even in something as simple as a flower. 

Are women like flowers? Plucking themselves for other people, changing themselves in order for others to like/love them. We fall into these traps in order to be accepted, liked, and loved. And these concepts are introduced to us early on in life. 

"Think of all the wilted women
Who crane their necks to reach a window
Ripping all their petals off just 'cause
He loves me now, he loves me not"

-Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris by Hayley Williams