For one silly season
Bush tempered and human nurtured
I rose red
Obediently
Unearthed and shaken
By my unfolding
I recover restless
Budding and blooming
From that hooded promise
And I laundered my spirit
High and haughty
Above all the thorns
But wait
Look
A personal fable is fading
A Perspex dream is shattering
And I listen alive
To a screaming nightmare
Surgically cutting my candy
Now amongst the many wilted
I know
They too were virtuous
Before the reaping
Less innocent
Less celebrated
An entire race of roses
On a sea of laden tables
Can all contemplate
A certain withering fate
Midst the flat champagne, confetti and cake
Simone Inez Harriman
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/rose-red/
