Sunflowers Unknown
There were 7 clusters of seedlings. A beam
of 10 possible
sunflowers. But there are none tonight.
Was it the work of a greedy dove couple?
Were they dug up by a crepuscular rodent
under the fading light?
Direct sow them early (and often, if you have the heart).
But remember that each year is different,
each variety of plant plays its part.
The cucumbers are slow this year, since
the days have been chill.
the days have been chill.
But the bush beans aren’t shy– they have
the blooms and the will.
the blooms and the will.
There’s time to try again this year,
but I think I’m done with the heartbreak.
What to do with a 16 foot trench
What to do with a 16 foot trench
dug out for sunflowers?
The hardy cherry tomato
yields seven green promises
but bringing up seedlings
leaves my spirits in a state.
leaves my spirits in a state.
5 thoughts on "Sunflowers Unknown"
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Some things just aren’t meant to be, ironic that such a positive flower be the cause of such anguish
Had those sunflower seeds had a chance to grow, the groundhog would have feasted on them.
This is now one of my three favorite poems about sunflowers, the other two being “Ah Sunflower!” by William Blake and “Sunflower Sutra” by Allen Ginsberg. You’re in good company. (I almost typed “god company” by accident, and noticing it, I almost left it.)
There is something wonderful about the promise of “A beam/of 10 possible/sunflowers.” I’m mad about the way you describe the “greedy dove couple” because it goes against type.
Your poems contain all the joy and heartbreak of gardening. One year we had a beautiful rose bush full of buds. The next day we saw the deer feasting on them! I swear we fed half the wildlife in our area with our garden.