Sweet Rose, the lash I whipped you with, those words
of pain, ache now. My consolation\'s in
your smile, your voice, your touch, and not the turds
I flung in chimplike rage. Love, you\'re my twin,
for good or bad, and though it sounds absurd,
I know you\'re seized by warmth and hope, a flood,
a buoyant stream of joy that sweeps you on
to your new life, a tide of seething blood.

At times it\'s swept me off, and left a trail
of broken victims on the banks. My wan
embraces, their sad smiles - a wintry pale
abyss between us good will couldn\'t close.
It\'s cruel, implacable, we\'re bound to fail.
And yet… Stroke, whisper, smile, and hold me, Rose!