A Van Gogh Moment

A Van Gogh Moment

An unexpected tall visitor

appeared in the back yard today

growing between the felled blue gum trunk

and the faded red, straggly geraniums.

I spied her elegance from the house,

but she shyly turned her face away, sunwards.

When I drew close,

faced up to her with gentle greetings,

saw the radiant ring of yellow petals

fringing her fine black face,

I understood why Van Gogh

first painted sunflowers

for sheer joy in Arles in 1888.

Sue Cook

(a birthday present from my friend)