A [ ] of Sunflowers
by Scott Wiggerman


Is it a stand? A grove? What is the right
expression? Not a clump—too ugly for
such cheerful flowers. How about a sprite?
Perhaps a raging sound—a scream, a roar?

Or one of those collective nouns that birds
or mammals own—a pride, a pod, a flock,
a charm? So why do flowers lack such words?
Bouquets? Of sunflowers? Such poppycock!

So flow my thoughts as I amble along
the trails, my language insufficient for
this walk. The need to name cannot be wrong,
this hopeful need to seek out metaphor.

And where is my vocabulary when
two parrots rise from the [ ]? Gone, again.






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