On Consdering the Lifeline Of The Rose

we thought about the lifeline of the rose, of the roses on the rose bushes

and their petals scattered in the flower beds, my sister and I when we were little girls

and we wept then for the roses. for the petals and moved them closer one by one to

the bushes they had drifted from so they would feel less alone there on the ground.

how evanescent rainbow bubble like at times our childhood feelings were.

I think now too of the lifeline of the rose and it is us now perhaps who feel as we

imagined the roses felt back then in my grandparents backyard

how we would like to stay.

and blossom there, here on earth forever.

forever rosy, bud to bloom in a single hour it seems to have all  transpired.

and I weep now as we did then that soon the rose winds may

find us for

the hours are shorter now, it isn't so far;

one day, mere petals, we'll let go

and learn to bloom again

among the stars.

mary angela douglas 23 january 2021