Sunflower Structure (audio poem)

On By Michele LeeIn Audio, Love, nature, Poetic Prose, Reading, Verse
Sunflower Structure – audio poem
Your yellow gone
your seeds mostly released
the few that remained
fascinated me

Torn, I was, between wanting
to pluck each one
crack them open
and swallow them whole
or leave each shell
in its protective bed
perfectly secure

I found you
fallen from your
tall sturdy stem
no sign of what
once held you up
face toward the sun

Just the round center of you
mostly buried
under a weathered brown bag

Just the round carcass of you
between two trash bins
swarming with flies
in the sweltering sun

Scoop you up like an abandoned babe
I did
I had grand plans
for my perfectly structured
sunflower
friend

Alley now behind me
just steps away
from my elementary classroom door
Much larger than
my face
I proudly
held up hers
for show-and-tell

I got at least one “oooh”
but not an “awe”
no one leaned in
when I explained
the symmetrical detail
of her jagged skin
no lives were changed
on that classroom rug
except mine
it seemed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Structure
exists everywhere
in the detail of a sunflower shell
in every living organism on planet earth
in the orbit of planets and the life span of stars
in streets and in monitored space above
in my office book shelves
in this poem

Except maybe
Love
the kind that shows up
when you’re not looking
that sees the beauty
when all the golden has
fallen away
the kind that is protected
like a lost babe
in the arms
of another
that smolder
with the
beauty of it
and
hold it up
like
the sun

Thank you for visiting and listening! 🌻 Be well. 💗 Michele

Photo 1: Patuss89 Photo 2: Jurij Krupiak

© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton

72 thoughts on “Sunflower Structure (audio poem)”

    1. I felt the same! That theme continued when I became a teacher. What do you mean you don’t love to read and write? 😲😆 Others may not share our enthusiasm for things, but we should not let that diminish ours. Thank you, Pat.

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  7. Guuurrrrlllll, I will never look at a sunflower the same again. 🌻🌻🌻 So often many of us can look at the same thing, see the same details, watch the same aura, and not pick up on the very essence of what that object or person conveys. I love your deep appreciation for that which is often overlooked Michele my Belle. 🤗💖🤩 Your grace and appreciation of life flows throughout your amazing poem. So heartwarming girlfriend. Now, let’s dance the day away!!! 💃🏻🎶👯‍♀️🎵💃🏽

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    1. I am happy to expand the landscape of your sunflower thoughts. 🌻💭😊 Thank you, Kymbelina, for noticing my noticing and for the gorgeous description of my poem and the inspiration behind it. 💖 🙏🏻 You truly are the light that Dwight just wrote about in another comment. 🌟 Yes, lets!! 💃🏽🎶💞🎶💃🏻

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      Reply

      2. Writing is a gift for all of us. Poetry in particular offers a chance to get lost in the creative zone… letting the emotions and memories bubble up and letting the words flow. I greatly appreciate your comment.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. So fascinating Audio poem and Sunflowers story written so beautifully 🌷🙏👍🏻😊
    Sunflowers are golden colours and it blooms seeing beauty of the sun , and grace
    life also this flowers 👏👌it’s amazing seeds so much beneficial for us , because
    Of that you’re praising them in your poem lines , so inspiring and grace wishes dear
    Friend 🌷🙏♥️😊

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    1. Writing that poem did take me on a fascinating journey. Lines that lead to love. 💖 Your summary of my poem and descriptions of sunflowers are both sweet and thoughtful. Thank you very much, Thattamma. Wishing you a beautiful weekend lovely lady. 💗💐

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  12. Breathtaking, Michele. Thank you for reminding us to see the wonder and possibility of the simple beauty all around us. And this: “Except maybe
    Love
    the kind that shows up
    when you’re not looking
    that sees the beauty
    when all the golden has
    fallen away…” Heart-stirring. 💜

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    Reply

    1. To read that my poem may be a reminder to see the wonder and possibility made my day, Natalie. Thank you for your lovely visit here! Those lines take my breath away too. 😁💗 Cheers to beautiful things that take our breath away. 🥂

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    1. Thanks so much poetry reader, Jeff. 😊 This poem took me on a delightful thoughtful journey, from an alley to the stars, then beyond where a love that can’t be defined, lives. Oh, how I adore the creative process of writing poetry. 🥰 Much to discover when we allow the thoughts and words to flow. Have a splendid Sunday! 🌞🌳💖

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      1. You’re most welcome, Michele. 😁Always. Ah, yes, the creative process is such a lovely experience, even when it’s hard sometimes, I find it all part of the same process. 🥰 Yes, the flow, exactly. Thank you! 🌳🌻💖

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    1. I love the fishing analogy and your description of the past-her-prime but still beautiful sunflower. 💗 This one felt like a must read with many nuances I wanted to emphasize. Thank you very much, Anne, for listening and appreciating. 😊

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  19. Divinely. Such a lovely recitation, Michelle. It’s true what you say about structure and isn’t nature amazing. The sunflower is gorgeous representation of this.
    The laws of nature. (Quantum) physics, biology, and chemistry make up our world.
    Don’t feel bad you didn’t get an “awe” response. You’re more enlightened than the others as the Golden Ratio is what you saw. Like in any poem. Particularly in the Fibonacci Spiral Poem’s pattern. You saw that first. Lovely. You drew me in. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. There is such wisdom in your words, and hearing them aloud in your voice adds to their beauty. I read it twice and loved it even more the second time. I shall be looking at sunflowers quite differently now. 😊💕

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    1. I am happy to read you found some wisdom in my words and that my poem offered you a new perspective. Most rewarding for me! I have learned a few things that sometimes finds a place in a poem. 😁 Thank you very much, Aaysid, for appreciating and acknowledging. 🌻🙏🏻💗

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      Reply

  28. This is beautiful, Michele! 🥰😘😍
    I love this line:
    “Torn, I was, between wanting
    to pluck each one
    crack them open
    and swallow them whole
    or leave each shell
    in its protective bed
    perfectly secure”

    And this:
    “Love
    the kind that shows up
    when you’re not looking
    that sees the beauty
    when all the golden has
    fallen away
    the kind that is protected
    like a lost babe
    in the arms
    of another
    that smolder
    with the
    beauty of it
    and
    hold it up
    like
    the sun”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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