the
roses in bloom
as if for the first time
I notice – I mean ‘really’
notice – the roses in bloom
how was I so blind
to the breathtaking
splendor in front of me?
was it because of the
rose’s deep symbolism?
did I view it only through
the lens of the abstract?
after all, the flower
is emblematic of some
strange bedfellows indeed
love
passion,
beauty,
fragility,
power,
royalty,
war
(yes, even war.
remember the war of the roses?)
these and more attest
attest to the roses
perennial allure
‘lo how a rose…’
‘…by any other name…’
‘is a rose is a rose…’
but up and down the avenue,
winding through black iron
or white picket fences, the
prickly bushes extend their arms
in real time to share their blossomed
beauty with the world
and in that still place
in my being
I am taking it all in
these deep reds, vivid yellows
creamy whites, pale pinks
and all shades in between
a sherbet dessert for the eyes
a sweet inspiration for the soul
05/23/18