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 hot

and 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 sunflow’rs right,

and for 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 upon the wall

no flowers will she provide.

It was for him

and him alone

she lived

and suffered,

died.