This rose was wrapped in

the warm night of a college city

filled with Saturday club-goers.

A Banana Republic Sundae dripped

hot fudge on the white tissue paper

and the ribbon was retied into a bow

several times.

This rose is a triplet,

bought with a hope and desperation.

There's a pang deep in its thorns.

It doesn't know where it stands yet,

only that either way there is

going to be a change in its life.

This rose stayed up late,

dancing the mambo and

drinking a Shirley Temple.

Forgetting the impending change,

but feeling it all the time.

This rose was a gift.