Van Gogh's Still Life: Vase with Fourteen Sunflowers (1888)

Sunflowers, a communion of moons,

absorb the light. None shines back. 

Warm, near brown flowers, some new, 

some losing petals, or tilted to the side, 

foreground a suffused matte finish yellow, 

form a set piece by way of a loose lasso 

around these flowers. The mind has hypothesized 

their belonging in this frame. 

Thick brush strokes of tubed-on paint 

affirm both vase and table 

with confirming gravity, as if to protect 

these muscular flowers

taking sunlight into confidence 

gathering sufficient light 

to prepare for the inevitable 

darkness in time for night.