Rose Thorns

Why do roses need their thorns?

Some things are little known.

But thorns of roses

spring and seize the surface

of  fey airs

before the roses come.

I’ve seen thorns huddle in a harmony alone,

hunkered down on green, wiry canes,

smoothed blades of whipping rose stalks,

and curl their polished tridents

to night’s call.

They are like stars

digging into firmament

with such desire,

you don’t quite get it,

and so healthy that

they almost have to wound,

or like bodies that can’t be argued,

borrowed, tamed.

The touch of a thorn

is a wry, deep telling

of the senses not to bloom

without a wish to,

without belief  in pain

to hold us true.