The Burning Rose

It's elemental--

Your roses will do better in earth, water and air

Than in fire.

And yet, our two hands tight together on the stem

Could only make a burning rose;

Its reds remarkable

For all the passion, petals and blood

That flame and bloom can know.

In the end, it wasn't fire that killed the rose, but rather,

Your letting go.

Then a careless word blew the ashes away--

No forgiveness, no sin,

As if it had never burned

As if it had never been.

_________