Afghanistan, a rose grew

the glimmer catches your breath
a thorn to the reach
yet how that light entertained
palm and wrist in stretch
to think to encompass
those petals of being
restrain these swathed elementaries
venetian in wander and stasis
the prick as you touch
a hand withdrawn from colour
so certain of consequence
gasp now as primaries splinter
one hue in keening refrain
flickers within a closing
the burdens so heavy for carriage
dim the stem, the vase emptied