Past Love Treasured - July 3, 2000

I saw the first bloom, 
brilliant in color
foiled by the crisp green leaves
of new growth.

And as the days passed,
the flower grew
and opened up to
the sunshine
that was new love.

And as time passed,
it began to fade -
as the sun
did not reach the shade
where it lay
languishing.

Until finally,
this first rose
of the season
is to be pressed
in a page -
as the fragile 
reminder of
first love.

- title suggestions by DM, TC, MW, and EM