Ode to a Sunflower

Two sunflowers with baby leaves

happy side by side in June

upon the patio enjoyed the sun

I hoped one day they’d bloom.

The summer sun was bright and hot

it parched the summer lawns,

one sunflower grew tall

the other seemed to fade a little

and lean against the wall.

It could have been her partner’s shadow

shielding her from light,

or was it his insatiable thirst

to drink up every drop in sight?

In ‘Sunflower World’ he was the champ

a handsome tall young thing

but all the goodness meant for two

was filling into him.

You cannot call it selfishness

for God made sunflowers right

and for the survival of the fittest

there must often be a fight.

The heat, without enough to drink

tipped Mrs. to one side.

Glossy leaves turned sunset yellow,

she was burning up inside.

Self-immolated on the wall

no flowers will she provide.

It was for him

and him alone

she lived

and suffered

died.

Reaper

Cold his breath, and stale

The Reaper stooping low,

‘High executioner standing o’er my bed

‘tis not my time to go.’

‘’Tis not thee that I come for,’ he said sarcastically,

caressed the blade and motioned

to the sleeper next to me.

The moon was up and in its light

all forms looked deathly white.

‘Be thee not so daring, Death

To enter here this night.

‘Take thy scythe and sickly stench…’

I rose up with a shout,

‘find some other corn to cut.

This sand has not run out.’

I turned back to my slumber

The Reaper watching me

as if unsatisfied at missed opportunity.

Once more he lifted up the blade

to make intentions clear

but laughter at a half- remembered joke

fell upon his ear.

The sleeper grinning from the dream,

The Reaper looking on

about him pulled his rancid cloak

and then alone was gone.