The Rose Bleeds Poem by Kyle Schlicher

innocence denied.

cruel protruding thorns
lovingly protect
vulnerable-
velvet soft petals
and
green leaves.

a warning.
do not touch. nor trespass.

it waits. feeling
the warming
waves
of
sunlight
washing over it.

in a silver lined silence
it grows there.
bleeds
if it is disturbed.

bleeds a most beautiful
deep hue of red
slow-
ly
one
drop
at a time.

slow dots
of love wasted
without
longing
eyes
watching.

it is red drops of love
that
the
rose bleeds.


5-30-1995