Beautiful when new
Fragrant smells
Senses awakened
Vibrant colors bring hope
Possibilities unearthed
Vulnerable and delicate
Pleasing to the soul
Exciting to the touch
Reaching full bloom with time

Yet capable of thorns
A finger pricked
Blood runs down
And as the petals fall,
We learn to cope

We look at it, but it's not the same
It's touch is lifeless, it's presence gone
Dried-up and useless it falls apart.
We may throw it away
And remember it no more
Or we may pin it to the wall,
A lesson to be learned.

Months pass
Tears are shed
The flower falls
And withers dead.