Sunflower Farm - By Ruby van de Wijgaart

Written By: Ruby van de Wijgaart

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Ruby van de Wijgaart presents "Sunflower Farm," a captivating poem featured in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This piece explores the profound beauty and awe inspired by a sunflower, embodying themes of nature and ephemeral beauty. Through vivid imagery and an intricate emotional landscape, Ruby invites readers to ponder the delicate balance between admiration and reverence.

About the Work

In "Sunflower Farm," Ruby van de Wijgaart uses a rich tapestry of imagery and emotion to depict an encounter with a sunflower. The poem's tone is reflective and reverent, capturing the ethereal beauty of nature. Through the metaphor of a sunflower, Ruby explores themes of devotion, beauty, and the struggle to articulate profound admiration. The poem's language is lyrical, creating a serene yet intense atmosphere that lingers with the reader.

Sunflower Farm

Original Submission by Ruby van de Wijgaart

Sunflower Farm

I met a sunflower, heliotropic, severe,

Her petals held the architecture of dawn.

When she addressed me, the air itself appeared

to hesitate between syllables and psalms.

I had rehearsed her name in silent liturgies before,

Yet every consonant dissolved beneath my tongue;

My throat became a boarded chapel shut by awe,

My breath an organ pipe that would not play.

Was it a surprise that rendered me devout?

Or the alchemy of gold unfastened through her hair,

where light lay stranded like a saint in stained glass?

Perhaps I was condemned to observation,

a girl fixed helplessly beneath the gravity

of something too beautiful to touch without ruin.

To speak of her feels almost unethical.

The beauty of her distorts the natural world.

Since meeting her, I have mistrusted winter,

have searched for traces of her in every field:

vast sunflower farms breathing beneath August,

their amber faces tilted toward a merciful sun;

uncharted warmth sleeping in the earth,

soft pollen drifting like forgotten scripture.

I began to imagine gentler continuities:

smaller footsteps threading between the stems at dusk,

warmth carried home beneath their fingernails,

gold dust sleeping within the creases of their palms.

Even now, memory keeps her in tones,

warm, distant, impossible to keep,

And I still return to the moment

Her voice first found me.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 hosted by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary expression from around the world. This prestigious competition invites participants to explore the depths of their creativity and share their unique voices. It serves as a platform for poets and writers to connect, inspire, and be inspired by the diverse tapestry of global creative writing.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ruby van de Wijgaart for sharing "Sunflower Farm" with us. This evocative poem is a testament to the beauty of nature and the power of poetic expression. Thank you, Ruby, for enriching the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with your artistry and vision.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.