patchwork child

red rose

red rose
colored as fresh blood
swirling petals fall
filling me with a feeling small

an emotion grows
its spreading roots gripping hard
an emerald stem presses in tussle
its thorns tearing through muscle

a sprouting in my ribs
bursting from the sternum
its shade deep as rushing waters
beckoning of many slaughters

red rose
growing from my heart
always there to warn
in a cage of piercing thorn