The Pillar Rose

You might as well have been
a low-lying, ground grasping
prostrate or single standard
miniature,
But that you were not.

You might well have been
Briar and bane to me
all rambling stray and
outsider,
But no fear, as I saw you there....

Shining, nested in rich lacquered real leafy green
The full floribundus,
All ginger hep and
stem of chocolate
All bold and bright crimson.

And although true,
Some wickedly throned barbs were there
to bespeak self preservation
in the wide, wild world
terrible and beautiful and wise too....
But your bloom was loving in between
Bewitching, intricate, sweet tragedy, cupped victory.

You need not have been
the tallest
or the fastest
or the best
But you
You...
Pillar Rose
Unfettered rambler
Beautiful
and you
and beautiful
Swelling design
Embracing the
Brightest star.