One Poem by J.S. O’Keefe

 

Sunflower

I don't understand, he says,

we’ve known each other since childhood,

you’re beautiful, brilliant, kind;

it just does not make sense.

That’s the cruelest thing, she whispers, 

that’s anybody ever said to me.

Already clear: 

solitude has chosen her,

a sunflower turned from the sun 

that’s forgotten her. 

Time is slow river, relentless; 

she, small and trembling, 

walks in the world, 

a dream she cannot touch.

Alone, 

wilting in silence 

that refuses to answer.

J.S. O’Keefe's work spans short stories, essays, and poems. They have been featured in a variety of publications, including AntipodeanSF, Roi Faineant, 101 Words, Everyday Fiction,  Spillwords, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, 50 Word Stories, ScribesMicro, Satire (C&K Publishing), etc.