Can a sunflower be happy
stealing water hogging light
out-rooting every other from
summer into fall the bully
determined to fight his way
to the top delighted as
others are knocked down
until he stands alone
atop his own kingdom?
something in October’s rain
as he droops and shivers
makes him wonder
and when the snow arrives
he shakes out a last seed
a lone bird swoops in to grab
a kid notices and comes over
kicks and snaps him off at the knees
now face first in a puddle
he stares at his greatest regret
which stares right back at him