The Rose's Thorns

The Rose's Thorn

By May Kwek

If I could pick a flower

of which I could praise

I would pick a rose

but not for beauty I say

But for its stems

hard and strong

so far from a lily's

willowy form

And for its thorns

which are so hard to touch

red from many

careless grasp

Anyone can see beauty 

in the form of a rose

but often for its flower

and its sunshine glow

But not for its stems

and nor for its thorns

these we detest

with disdainful scorn 

How easily we forget

the importance of these!

And care only for its beauty 

the flower beyond reach

For the stems and the thorns

though treated with unfair scorn

protects this lovely flower

so that it lasts long

So don't praise the rose for beauty

for that does not last long

but for its strength through adversity

which would help it carry on

Copyright © 2011 by May Kwek