Ah Sunflower

We have enjoyed growing sunflowers every year, and each year it is a unique experience. When you we watched as squirrils came at bit the heads of the stalk and ran clumsily away trying to balance the weight of the seed filled flower. We have had more successful years than others. This year we decided to pluck out the seeds off this one head, the plant we chose only grew about 12 inches high but with a huge flower at the top! It was interesting seeing how they were held tightly in, we appreciated the diffficult challenge for animals trying to pluck them out, we tasted the raw seeds, examined the fine hairs that grow on the outside of the seed. This is the first year we will keep seeds to plant next year...a second generation.

Ah Sunflower
by William Blake

Ah Sunflower, weary of time
Who countest the steps of the sun;
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done

Where the youth pined away with desire;
And the pale virgin shrouded in snow,
Arise from their graves , and aspire
Where my sunflower wishes to go!