Before the storm rocked forth,
And spread the dark clouds,
And fingers wound down into
The city, and spilled its body into
Alleys and crashed itself in with force,
Attention to the roses was called.
Just less than one hundred roses,
Upon the bush so gracious,
Peeling back their firm bodies
From the wraps that had held the buds
Each splaying forth its redness and
Reaching for the furthest stretch
Away from thorns and out to where
The sun could reach their silky feel
Lording over the flowers at their feet
And bringing their royal grace to life.
Ralph Peck
Photography by Joe Hause
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