Sunflower

Sunflower
you lived a good life
though shorter than I’d have wished
stood tall and joyful
saluting the light
a large, humble beauty
that few eyes noticed
in your corner of the garden
where you seemed quite happy
just to be there
with no need of fanfare
or immortality
content to be visited
by the occasional bee
or butterfly.

But these eyes have seen you
and this page remembers
your curious statuary
your telescopic climb
from soil to sky
and your bowing at last
to the will of nature
that your manifold children
so close to your open heart
might find their way home.