The Sunflower by Dora Greenwell, is a delightful little poem that thrills and satisfies the senses by merging us at once, in ambient tranquillity in a meadow somewhere, with the sun a golden orb shining down at us. Dora Greenwell’s fantastic imagery by far transcend my own thoughts on her delightful work. I read out those words knowing full well that I can only do them a disservice.

Dora Greenwell was a woman of remarkable strength of mind and intelligence. She wrote extensively as a poet as well as an essayist. She did not shy away from the topic of the day for she addressed them directly in her support of the education of women, their suffrage as well as being against the slave trade.

I have chosen this work of hers, The Sunflower, for obvious reasons. At the end of the poem I have added some closing thoughts. I did not wish to poli ...