A YEAR WITHOUT ROSES
One year
roses bloomed
as perfect
as glass.
Now there
are stems that prick
deep into
the past.. Long stems linger
tall and
strong
I can’t
place these memories
on your
distant grave.
Instead I
whisper
to bright
green, remembering
blossoms I
took home..
Petals
refused to root
without
your touch.
Red
slipped into ground
Predicting
a future
I didn’t
see.
Fortunes
are seldom told
with
roses.
One for
you.
One for
Mom.
As tears
that wouldn’t leave
my eyes
Your
number still lingers
on speed
dial.
To remove
it is like you
have gone
forever.
Instead I
call
and talk
to static.
Do you
hear rain soaking dirt?
Today I
wear your flannel shirt
to shield
me from cold
as I
protect the rosebush
from
winter’s brush.
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