The red rose

It rises up
           out of the earth
at first a thing
           of frailty
but it grows in strength
           it blossoms
its petals attract
           all manner of attention
the bee gorges
           on its pollen
but the days of its glory
           are short and soon gone
its beauty fades
           its leaves curl and dry
and slowly but surely
           it falls back
to the earth
           love outlasts it

John Lyons