Rose Petals

Rose petals
as beautiful
and perfect
as the first time
we met,
when you
blinked your
blue eyes,
and smiled,
because you
knew,
just as well
as I did,
that I was
the one
you'd always
been looking
for.
Rose petals
as pure
and innocent
as our first kiss,
when we were
walking through
the rain,
and we were
just under
the streetlight
before my house
when you
leaned down
and made me
feel as if
nothing else
in the world
could ever compare
to that one,
beautiful moment.
Rose petals
as fresh
and new
as our first child,
just after
she'd been
born and
you lifted her
up to the sky
in your arms
and called her
"Rose".
Rose petals
as memorable
and sorrowful
as the day
you took
your only
daughter
down the aisle,
and watched
as another man
took your place.
Rose petals
as quiet
and sweet
as our first grandchild,
who cooed
and laughed
back at you
whenever you
made one of
your funny
faces at him.
Rose petals
as final
and gentle
as the
day I
watched you
take your
last breath,
in that clean
sterile hospital bed
with tubes
sticking out of
your nose
and mouth
and your last
words,
as you loosened
the pressure on my
hand, were,
"I love you".