Roses

In fact it’s never about the roses
           nor about the lush red petals
nor the coarse green leaves
           nor the stems armed with savage thorns
it’s all about us and our gestures
           our thoughts and emotions
the everlasting love we wish to signal
           more about the giving
than the receiving and about
           the feelings we hope will survive
beyond the dust of these blooms
           that are doomed to die

John Lyons