every rose will die

ix. blood red roses

IX. BLOOD RED ROSES

{FOURTH LETTER TO ALICE}

red bloomed on your fingertips that day

a clean slice

i never looked at red the same way

when i opened my eyes

all i saw was red

red

a deep burgundy

with trembling hands i touched your cheek

and my fingers too, came away stained

how did i do that?

i couldn't stay after that

i hurt you enough

and to see that hurt in physical form?

it cut me right back