REQUEST

Love me as I love

This last rose, November’s orphan

Blossom of solitude growing

Without companions to witness

Velvet leaves and thorn protected stem reaching skyward

A late bloomer, lone adornment of my barren garden

Unaware of the season’s end, scavenging sunbeams

Unaware of its natural dignity and grace

Then love me as I love inhaling its damask fragrance

How it emanates from red imperial folds

Newly changed from bud into full blown 

Bewitching beauty