The Sunflower

The sunflower looked beautiful
in my cobalt blue vase
a golden halo of translucent petals
reached away from the brunette hub
as if trying to experience something more
to touch one more piece of life
An olive grey stalk sipped water
a stalk that oozed out
some of its life when I cut it
to confine it
in my cobalt blue vase

As the days pass
the sunflower’s head bows
the fibrous stalk bends
as if the weight of the head
is too much for it to bear.
Petals that once were vibrant
are edged in rotting brown
the leaf is sagging
too tired to salute any longer
Scattered petals litter my table
falling like tears
surrendered
not wanting to be imprisoned any longer
in my cobalt blue vase.