It was brought to Bethlehem
\nin a paper cup.
\nGrown in Jack\u2019s kindergarten room
\noverseen by children
\nwith sunflower faces.
\nTogether we planted it
\nby the new fence where it
\ncould have room.<\/p>\n
My hope was humble for success.
\nRabbits, squirrels, chipmunks
\nmade forays here.
\nNothing was sacred.
\nAll was meant to be eaten,
\nif it could be eaten,
\nso a guard of wire was put around it.
\nA prayer was recited
\nas stars came out.<\/p>\n
Each day a new leaf grew
\nwas cause for celebration,
\nand days went on.
\nWe watered it.
\nPraised it.
\nRemarked on its tallness,
\nonly inches high,
\nand I added more wire,
\nmore obstructions, to
\nsafeguard its precious destiny,
\nuntil one day,
\nit was tall as Jackie was.<\/p>\n
It raised green hands to heaven.
\nWaltzed in the wind,
\nand overgrew my height by feet
\nto the top of a ten foot trellis.
\nNow it shines with a crown of yellow,
\na center of gold,
\na calligraphy of petals,
\nand Jackie and Michael
\npose beneath it,
\nwith the faith the innocent
\nhave in glory.<\/p>\n
The sunflower in a paper cup,
\nnursling grown into seraphim.
\nPapa smiling,
\na laugh of joy inside me,
\na flower given to my boys
\nfrom God.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It was brought to Bethlehem in a paper cup. Grown in Jack\u2019s kindergarten room overseen by children with sunflower faces. Together we planted it by…<\/p>\n