sunflower power

Joining Carpe Diem Haiku Kai‘s weekend challenge on sunflower theme.  I wrote the prose, followed by a haiku from our host!


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wild sunflower – photo by lynn

 

The sight of sunflowers warms my heart, although my farmer hubby says they’re a weed. I remember as a child planting a few sunflowers in the backyard on east side of detached garage. The plants grow faster than children and their sunny faces exude happiness bright as summer sun. When autumn comes, their smiles fade, petals dry, and seeds mature. Oh, what a joyous feast for the birds! Sparrows flutter and cling to droopy head to peck tasty seeds. We let them eat the raw seeds as we prefer the roasted, salted variety. Dad would have a bag along to ball games or car races where we’d leave striped shells scattered under the bleachers; shells sucked dry of salt until the tips of our tongues went numb. On vacation, I still thrill at roadside sightings of expansive fields of sunflowers; their golden heads tipped toward the sun. On my walks, spotting more diminutive wild versions in the ditches (NOT our fields) brings a smile to my face.

 

blooming sunflowers
reaching for the early light of the sun –
birds praise their Creator
© Chèvrefeuille

a garden lai

This is my attempt at a “lai”.  You can learn more about the form at dVerse

 

look out my window
garden plants on row
i see

green beans, potato,
snap peas, tomato
must weed

good seeds that we sow
cause blessings to grow
freely

 

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photo by lynn

lion’s tooth in sun’s face

A tan renga written for challenge at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai


 

dandelion dandelion
on the sandy beach
spring opens its eyes                           © Ogiwara Seisensui
 

warm salty sea breezes blow
…dandelion sneezes seeds                     lynn__

 

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photo by lynn

watermelon days

 

watermelon days

juicy summer drips sweetness

spits seeds of promise

 

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photo by lynn