I as a rose, a bud, carefully you must open Closed against cold voice and words of love past Beauty barely aware yet seen fully by you Will you ease the pain not caused by you? Can love without demands bring petals to open? My soft interior longs for a different past Your gentle touch like dew can become my new past Love asking nothing but a chance for you Awakened by truth my heart slowly unfurls to open Our love is open upon my past, delicate petals to you After the Party Contest sponsor: Anthony Slausin 6-25-2019