Healing Salve of the Wild Rose

Gathering flowers
To fill the vase
To grace the breakfast table
On the deck
My eyes catch upon
Dainty wildflowers
Blossoms smaller than pinky nail
Five summer yellow petals
Surrounding tuft of yellow
I snipped a few
To start my bouquet

I spy purple flowers intermingling with yellow
Similar in size
But sunburst pattern of petals
I snatch them
And my bouquet grows

Peonies
A pièce de résistance
I bury my nose 
In the floral bomb
Inhaling the scent of spring
Magenta flowers
The size of dessert plates
Now enhance my floral arrangement to be!

White blossoms 
Call to me for inclusion
They will go well
Beside their magenta relatives
I gather them in!

Meandering now
Back to the kitchen
I am diverted in my step
By deep pink flowers
Growing at property’s edge
A bush 
Of wild roses
Flowers galore
Populating the green foliage
Growing modestly
Without aid or attention.
I approach the perennial flowering plant
Scissors in hand.
Dilemma
Decisions
Discernment
In my heart.

Roses
In my past
Represented
Pain, conflict
They were exploited
Used in attempt to expunge
Guilt
Abuse
Cruelty

But that was then
This is now
Can I release the memory
Accept the thorns
And take delight in 
Nature’s pure gift?

I filled the vase
Careful not to grasp too tightly
And pierce myself
With thorns of yesteryear.

Patricia O’Connor
2024