What If There Are Roses. . .
by
Amethyst

What if
the old wood
the polished wood
mirrors the candles softly

and reflections
of tea cup and coffee cup
steam in dark windows

What if
the candles of his eyes
burn steadily
deep and trusting
behind the mirrored flame

as he hands me
a red rose
too dark to be reflected
a silhouette on the table
individual petals hidden

but the fragrance
fills the room
fills the night

Pequod's sailors
would not cry
Captain Ahab's child
is tough
unafraid

able
to keep this one
from harm
to shoot bad guys
to never fail him

But what if
a trembling dew
so visible
in this dim light
quivers gently
on the petals of his heart

as he waits
as he waits
for me to be
the rose's thorns
defending
but never hurting
the blossom that
opens quietly
submitting its heart