Roses

a twisted heart of roses falls apart;

the petals flake in spirals round the vase.

reflected in my iris counterpart,

the radii that trail in thoughts retrace

their fallen arcs reversed in surging climb,

returned in course to blooms unplucked by hand

where threaded thorns are wreathed with sage and thyme.

unfolding flowers thick with youth expand

to nubile blossoms stained in bloody red,

then sliced precisely where their life begins,

a bed of loam exchanged for glass instead.

suspended lifeless, color drains and thins.

i measure days in wilted leaves that drop,

bouquets of clocks awaiting death to stop

• February 2026

Submission History

Date	Publication	Status
February 8th, 2026	Macabre Magazine	Pending
February 16th, 2026	Infopocalpyse Magazine	Pending
February 16th, 2026	Hibiscus Magazine	Pending