I was strolling through the park and I saw something red, a single rose all by itself

It was so beautiful and elegant that it made the world around me temporarily disappear

This rose, I thought, will not survive through the seasons; I must bring it home with me

Something so lovely should never be left alone in the wilderness

I tried to grab hold of it but was pricked by its thorns

I was so mesmerized by its beauty that I had failed to notice

Those sharp thorns that rest upon its long stem

I didn’t want to let go, but the more I pulled, the harder my fingers pushed into them

I had no choice but to loosen my grip and let go of this magnificent flower

I had to leave and go tend to my new wounds

As I walked away I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to this lonely rose

I only wished that I had gotten there before its thorns grew

I learned, this was never a rose to be uprooted and brought home

It was only one to be admired and cherished in the moment

I was not angry as I looked down at my bleeding hand

Because, I should have known better than to try to grab hold of a wild rose

But it was too beautiful not to try

And these wounds will eventually heal

But I will never forget

That beautiful wild rose