poem

 Sunflower

We attended the charity event for cancer

One weekend on a sweltering day in July

A live band was belting out industrial covers

From the 80’s— Pat Benatar, Poison, Motley Crue

The trees put their faces in the breezes

Like dogs hanging their heads out car windows.

As we were coming in an older couple my wife knew was leaving

It was 19 years ago, to the day,

That they had lost their son to cancer.

We’re going someplace so he can eat and soak up the alcohol, she said.

But I didn't think he looked all that drunk— just sun drenched and sad.

He gave me whatever drink tokens he had left.

7/13/25