Sunflowers stand-out
on our walk this morning –
dandelion-yellow heads held proudly
on slender, straight stems
that stand oh-so tall
in flower beds and flower pots
in gardens and in parkland
supported by bamboo cane.
So beautiful to behold –
almost regal!
A delight for the passer-by
and such a wonderful achievement
for gardeners who tended them
during the “summer”!

In my mind
one sunflower
stands out from all the rest.
It stands in the wasteland
and, like all of the other sunflowers,
its golden head tracks the sun
all day long.
But there is one huge difference –
this sunflower stands
only about 18 inches tall.
It’s a wee rogue sunflower
planted by the birds!
Growing wild
it had no support
when winds blew …
and was knocked over.
But still it reached up to the sun
on a stem that grew
in a zig-zag!

Thank you, Lord,
for this wee fighter of a sunflower
on its zig-zagging stem,
this miracle of your creation –
such a beautiful symbol of hope
in a wasteland!

© Claire Murray, 17th September 2020