sec, needs a beer after readin' this, sec.
Girl, you go!!
This is great! And I know it's hard and all. But, this is a great poem! I so much agree with the talking painting (Mona Lisa), Beth, that the use of metaphor is brilliant with the rose. Beautiful at one time, causing you pain and turmoil in the end. But the ray of hope there with accepting and seeing that the beauty's gone, now just a stem. It's masterfully done! And now you're free to see the rest of the beautiful roses around you. Take care--Mike