between the lines
where petals fell
counted back from none
he loves me
loves me not –
or so the story goes

where once
the soul was wary
mercy came as time
from brokenness
– a sweeter blossom
grows

warmed beneath
the same ole sun
rocked upon the wind
sorrows burst
to bloom
beside the rose

presence
keeps a hallowed path
reminders mark
the way
were petals loosed
as questions –

now I know

. . .