As if I'd slept a thousand years under the frozen ground I wake to fresh soil and a new season. My old dying roots have begun to wither and break away, giving birth to the new. I, the red rose with all my thorns, and silk crimson petals and bright green foliage, rise and awaken through the sacred earth anticipating with joy my introduction to the sun and the wind, and to the hummingbirds and butterfly's to feed upon my nectar. Raindrops tenderly fall from the brilliant clouds above and upon me to console me, to comfort me, washing away the battered existence of my yesterdays, and nourishing the very essence of my being with warmth and welcome. I give celebration to this day, and I open myself and am entered by a wave of vibrant light. This is the joy, the slow awakening into blissful moments as one by one my petals open, as the fist that held tight the secrets of my lost innocence, all that has imprisoned me, no longer holds me. I now let go of the past and release the voice and fragrance of my spirit, my being.

As I release my fragrance, my richness rides the wave of the gentle breeze for all to know. In a moment, I open my heart and light descends, fills me and passes through like a gentle wave in the sea, slowly tracing and healing every cell in my stem and within each delicate red petal--my beauty is reflected perfectly under a canopy of heavenly blue light. A powerful surge of energy engulfs me, soothes me, enlightens me. I, the rose receive, as the very core of my essence mixes with warmth and hope and joy. I am that spirit filled with light reflected in the world under a canopy of the Universe riding a blanket of stars, and I arrive content within myself. I, the rose, bold and beautiful, hardy and resistant, rise to take my place on this sacred ground. In vibrancy, I marvel the wave of my inner knowing, at myself and the things of this beautiful earth.

By J.P. October 20, 2008