The Rose

Long ago I lived like a Gypsy moving to the sights and sounds of my desires and illusions as I painted my shared heart in red passion which held me captive in a realm of my own making Like that of a chilly Valentine night in 1986 when the North winds blew hard enough to bend palm trees like tall grass dancing in the dark I came to her door with a single rose hurried expectations and a dreamer's wish She answered with a quiet smile of warmth as she reached for my hand and my gift of a single rose before leading me to a long curved staircase that led up to a dim-lit hallway my eyes were captivated by her hair bouncing upon her shoulders and the rendered shadows that clung to her back as she rushed us to her room of webs and scents where candles were already lit and melting Gato Barberi's Europa was playing in the background in a continuous loop... Could that this memory invite me whenever I hear "Happy Valentine" I hold onto this memory yet, wonder if she held onto the rose 1/1/22 contest Be Mine sponsor Regina McIntosh