Drops of Color/ Paper Roses

Drops of Color
Paper Roses

I planted thee
a rose garden…

Paper, though it be.

If you close your eyes
and slowly breathe inward,

the scent of the flowers’
sweet perfume
fills your nostrils.

I remember your
garden of roses.

I would listen
from a distance
as you clipped
and trimmed.

A love song
you would hum
as the hot sun
blanketed your back

and the roses
unfolded

each and every petal.

Knowing, yes
somehow knowing,
you were
singing a ballad
for them.

You are no longer
here
and yet,

here you are in 
this paper
rose garden.

Now…
I close my yes—
teardrops of tiny
petals
lace my cheeks.

And, smiling~~~
my heart beating
softly

knowing you are
not gone.