ODE TO SUNFLOWER

It was a summer day once more,

The air was warm outside the door.

My heart was light, my spirit high,

As past the barn I hurried by.

Your golden rays were radiant and wide,

You stretched your leaves to every side.

You swayed so gently in the air

And danced without a single care.

Along the row I took my tread;

The bees and butterflies all fled

Or buzzed around to greet my face,

While caterpillars kept their pace.

I stood beside you, proud and tall,

To see if I was short or small—

And no surprise, I saw you rise

Much higher up toward the skies.

I wished to take a few of you

To bring back home, as people do,

To place your blooms inside a vase

And give the room a lovely grace.

I thought that I could snip the stem,

And take the shears to cut at them;

Yet courage failed and left my sight,

And tears welled up within the light.

I loved to watch you bloom and thrive,

And feel your quiet warmth alive.

You brought such joy to all around,

The gentle peace that I had found.

And so I left you standing there,

To visit when the days are fair.

For you are why I love to see

The summer days return to me.