Anonymous Rose

Anonymous Rose As a mid-teenager innocently experimenting and soaked from a bottle My best mate and I were drunk as two skunks he a bit less than I We had not managed the golden mean of balance as proposed by Aristotle Swerving and falling he got me home though after straight Vodka oversupply He left my bicycle chained to the bench we had used attempting to get sober The bike with banana saddle and Harley type handle bars resting on wood Stood tall for a night while I had grazed knees and a massive hangover I promised myself on recovery I’d never touch drink again for my own good When vomit and headache receded I went to rescue my two wheeling friend Fearful someone might have taken advantage of my delirious nonsense Maybe stolen or vandalized to the point that it also was not quite on the mend Me still smelling of booze there was a red rose on the saddle fragrant intense This is true was no post alcohol poisoned hallucination no whim of my eyes The flower sported scratchy thorns of poignant meaning and a beautiful shine But from whence had it come who was it who gave me that poignant surprise A mysterious donor an angel some prophet or a secret admirer of mine Fourty years later I still do not know who gave me that meaningful gift Never actually tried to find out felt embarrassed could thank no one in person And sometimes still wonder had I found out had my life taken a different drift Than decades to appreciate sober living rather than in liquor’s immersion Written for the contest 'Anonymous Angel' 04th April 2018