Roses

I caressed the roses you gave me

Got distracted and pricked my finger

Then I got sad about the pain from the hurting

You cleaned it like a battle wound that had lingered

I'd forgotten what it was like--the gentleness

I'd forgotten the kindness I deserved

I'd forgotten the soothing of a kind love

The balm it could melt and become

I finally understand fear too

I'd forgotten what it was to be soft

Been sharper than a knife for so long

I'd forgotten feelings can make you belong

And then as soft as dew drops on grass

You came in, joined my table, shared my seat

Desire turned sharper than loathing for once

And love was a new song on repeat

I can hear new depth in love songs now

And also how they lack

You and I've got something rare going on

Something we can't let go of to slack

A mirror reflecting new banter

Same reasons to laugh

Of sharing a silence of peace

Of silently looking up at the stars

The constellation was all new and ours

We named the stars our own

There was a fear there, unending, blending

But not stronger than the love

The laughter we shared Healed my stitches

The ones that itched from time to time

And when the restlessness came back

You took your hand in mine

This isn't a sonnet any longer, it is a song

I can never run out of songs for you

A declaration that resounds

As unending as a beginning that is new

Roses,

You got me roses again,

Smiled, when I dragged my finger over them

There were no thorns to scratch or bleed from

You'd trimmed them to the stem